It was a relatively quite morning at the scoring table this morning – some new developments and some changes in the top five! 1st - NPS holds onto and expands her lead in first place for another day - 7471 points 2nd - Allyn still hanging in there strong with - 7083 points 3rd - Vera makes a big move from 6th into 3rd place - 6086 points 4th - Kay also moves up a notch - to 4th with 5027 point 5th - Helen rounds out the top five with a score of - 4848 points All scores are posted through midnight - will start working on Day 19 shortly…BJOD - two racers this morning have made very big moves overnight…Ruth - moved from 14th to 7th Maddie - who was enjoying Maine several days ago has moved from 20th to 13th… What happen to that Dale guy? ...Onward!" Signed HRS! . . . Donna, trying to decide, said. "What happens next ... way too early to 'really' think!" . . . Day replied, "Go -------------- back to sleep, back to work!" . . . Clearing out additional stuff, he continued," Hi all the Day 19 stuff is posted - AA, SS, Location, TT - wildcards Holli and Dan - double zero's between - cumulative above - single zero below - same as yesterday…The EARS of Ruth to be posted shortly." Signed, HRS." . . . then added the title of this episode," "How to exercise while still in bed - My Favorite Jury Duty"… Responding to Slygranny's silk blouse tale, Dan said," Rag! - something like that could never happen on the HUSTLE II – Dale has been very careful with the laundry - even refusing help from the HUSTLE II crew so as to assure the protection and quality of his work." . . .Allyn, continuing yesterday's discussion on jury duty, said, "I spent eleven weeks on a jury in a Federal case. (I was foreman too...just meant I got to state the verdict at the end.) At the time it was the record length for a trial. Got fired from my job because my employer felt he had to replace me. (Could have taken him to court but chose not to). Within the year there were cases that dragged on for months. I guess we opened the door!" . . . She added, "I'm excited for Rosanne too! It's a beautiful place. You'll have so much fun decorating it. I love the idea of the village-on-a-ledge. Keep us up to date with pictures. Can't wait for the next step!" . . . Replying to Dale's comment that Mazelle had never been called to jury duty, Esme observed, "In California, you'd have to not have a driver's license or state ID or not be on the voter rolls… It's hard to escape getting called… They called my then 95 year old blind father, but after 70 you can fill out the physical exemption without a doctor's signature." . . . Looking around the empty aft deck, Donna remarked, "I see clue A finally arrived at 5:46 (my time) on the message board.... interesting. ... It also arrived last. Sigh…So where the heck is everyone? Not many messages in the last 24 hours... actually went to the site to see if I was missing something." . . .Continuing, she said, " I don't know what is worse.... the weather here- predicted 88 with 80 percent humidity-- or more trivia issues… .either I have no clue to the answers or get them all right with a few guess's...never land where I want." . . . "Hi Donna," said Dan. "They sure are dragging stuff all over the place today - yahoo that is…We are in weird Week Three - which is a time/shift week - for me it's the easiest to score - must be lots of racers planning strategy – yahoo also doesn't help with its inconsistent time manipulation!". . . Helen called out, "Hi Donna...its Wednesday a.m. ... I've already missed today's location, run a lot of errands, sent Dan another answer...he must be working for a living since I haven't heard from him on my second guess or SS... still trying to figure out AA, but may have to wait till later. My trivia score is in the basement again...am slipping out of the top scores, but then...it's only a game...RIGHT??" . . .Dan responded saying, " You shouldn't have much problem today I only got TWO right – hopefully Holli scores high - so everybody can slide in-between!" . . . Holli laughed, "Hope you didn't count on it!" . . . Dan laughed, " I sure wasn't paying attention during the 70's - at least you put some distance between us!" . . .Helen ruefully replied, " Yea...I'm between again." . . . and Dan replied," That'll be double 00's no matter what then!" . . . Continuing, he said, " Double Donna's Do Double Dip!... In a rare occurrence - both Donna's have hit extra points today – both hitting the Race and the AA for Extra points!" . . . Dale innocently asked, "Are you sure you didn't mix up the names?" . . . Replied Dan with a straight face, "No Bill - I'm pretty good with names!" . . . Esme announced, "That's at least 56 extra TM points for each of you!... WTG!" . . . Allyn, returning, said " Unh,uh ...check out the trivia. We're back to the 70s!" . . . and Dan laughed, saying, " seems Frank has that one down pretty good." . . . Donna ventured, "Well, if that isn't worth some extra special points.... guess nothing is… Right? Namesake WC? …hey, I am asking for points in case it is "that'" day too!" . . . Ruth remarked, "Easy for him! He spent one of his 9 lives frolicking through the 70's, and will probably max out the 80"s too. I tried to convince Dan that my awful score was because I was not yet born in the 70's. Being the gentleman, he just nodded his head!" . . . Dan laughed, "I'll work on the premise I was a newlywed during those years!" . . . Slygranny burst out laughing. "uhuh - I guess I was too young as well!!" . . . Dale said, "I think during that time I was playing the GAME OF LIFE with my daughters." . . . Donna called in from her office. "Well, I guess I will find out how close of a point spread there is when I get home… I won't go on the trivia site from a work computer." . . . Slygranny laughed. 'Dale - that was Dan who said that - I said I was too young (with tongue in cheek) No wonder they keep you in the back seat of Herbie." . . . Checking his scoreboard for racer location, Dan said, "Helen makes a wrong turn ends up in Calcutta, India" . . . then, sending a link to his photos, Dan said, "http://dtlima.com/Rosann.htm. You can now see Rosann's new house on the PGPA". . . Holli announced today's Bullistic Bingo drawing with a drum roll. "Splat", "A Bucket of Water Balloons!" . . . Donna, receiving her mail too slowly to satisfy her, replied to Helen, "Say what?... Game? ... Dale told me this was for the million dollar cash first prize… just got your morning message.... maybe you will get this by tonight... sigh!" . . . Dan laughed, "Just got it 1:41 PM eastern - must have gone the same way that million dollar first prize message went," and attaching an earlier message, Dan said, " SHEESSH - I sent this at 8:42 am just hit now at 1:04 PM - glad we have the EBS as a backup!" . . . Slygranny agreed. "First night like that too - sent email and nothing showed up for hours - seemed like nobody commenting here for over 2 hours. Found THAT hard to believe!!". . . Somewhat miffed, Dale said, "Donna- I believe you misunderstood what I said. It was If I WON the judges were going to OFFER me the CHOISE of a million dollars or first prize award." . . . "Hum," said Donna. "If I could arrange for you to win, what is my cut?" . . . and Dale answered, "would let you have the ribbon for a couple of days. (My choice) The dollars would be too hard to collect trying to find Dan with enough free time to write a check, and as far as Holli's------She would have me cleaning out her basement just to see if she had a check…Can't afford the gas and taxes to go collect the Dollars." . . . Rosann, checking on Holli and the weather, asked, "Hi Holli, Did you get hit with last night's storm out by you? … I just got rain up here and SOME light show.....TONS of lightening south of me. My brother called and said he lost some of the roof of his school and some flooding on the top floor where the priest's residence is… He slept right through it and woke up only because the alarms went off… We watched the noon news on channel 2.....they showed his school (Archbishop Stepinac in White Plains)....it was hit by a tornado. Did a LOT of damage to the school… more than he described. No one was hurt thank God." . . . Rita answered her, "We Illinois people know how dangerous those tornados can be. Glad everyone is safe and sound at the high school. What a mess they will have to deal with." . . . WC Donna answered Dan, " Well, my Double-Dip trick is to shut off the 5 a.m. alarm and roll back over and go back to sleep! I was in a total panic when I woke up with DH's alarm at 6 a.m.! No time to play on the computer this morning! Got to work and tried to "sneak" play when the boss wasn't looking...it paid off...I had no idea of where I'd place...just wanted to get the silly things answered! Quite an accidental pleasure… I like that "Double Donna's do Double Dip! Watch out...Dan may make this an AA someday!!" . . . Dan, always thinking ahead, dispatched an advance Day 20 notice: "You ask for it you got it – points you can have just for the asking – However there might be a few things you may want to consider first!...(Loud Drum Roll !!!!!!!!)! . . . Announcing – a new Improved Hollidan Improved Towing Service II (HITS II) --- New and improved just for you --- If you really gotta go – call HITS II…Since some of the vehicles are getting pretty worn by this trek around the world – please consider using Hollidan Improved Towing Service II. Starting on Day 20, this service will be available starting – 04:00 ZULU 7/20/6…You can use this service any time you feel the need and for what ever reason - the HITS II will tow you from your current location to your next destination no questions asked any time anywhere from one race point to the next - YOU CAN USE the towing service ONCE and ONLY ONCE per racer during the entire remainder of the race - You CAN NOT USE IT on the last two days of the race July 30, 2006 or July 31, 2006 - since we are such a friendly towing service we'll pay you the TP’s - using the towing service will earn you extra points – there is NO TEAM PLAY ALLOWED with HITS II – each request for a tow must be made individually – Each racer must request a tow as an individual – TOWS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE – YOU MAY ONLY REQUEST A TOW FOR YOURSELF…There are more racers than tows available – and the amount of available tow will be reduced each day – ONCE THEY ARE GONE THEY ARE GONE… Each Day – there will be a reduced number of Tows available – AND ONCE THEY ARE GONE THEY ARE GONE – you can only request a tow for the amount of points and within the number of tows available in the order presented – tows are offered free of charge – but will ONLY BE OFFERED IN THE ORDER STATED BELOW. The same amounts will be posted on the daily score sheets as well." . . .(Pause to change carbon in the duplicating machine.) . . .Day 20 – TOW POINTS AVAILABLE from Hollidan Improved Towing Service II…1st person to use it earns extra 50 points…2nd - 60 points…3rd - 70 points…4th - 80 points…5th - 90 points…6th - 100 points…7th - 120 points…8th - 140 points…9th - 160 points…10th - 180 points…11th - 200 points…12th - 225 points…13th - 250 points…14th - 275 points…15th - 300 points…16th - 350 points…17th - 400 points…18th - 500 points…19th - 600 points…20th - 700 points…HITS II Free Towing Points for the next days race – will be different (larger) – and fewer (# available)…Remember you can request the tow - ANYTIME and you'll automatically arrive at the next destination with those additional towing points plus appropriate racing points added to your score – you will not need to answer the question for the locations of that day (you’ll automatically be towed there) - but again YOU CAN USE IT ONCE AND ONLY ONCE per racer (NO TEAM REQUESTS WILL BE HONORED) - you use it by making the request via e-mail to the judges inbox just as you would when submitting an answer. I'll let everyone in the Circle know the status of the free service and who has gotten the tow and in what order they ask for it….Towing MAY NOT be used for AA, BB, TT or any other combinations of the alphabet unless specifically stated in this document – prohibited in East Overshoe, Idaho and any other locations where toothpaste is not sold – limited one per racer, must be 18 years of age or older, the view expressed in this message are those of those who express them and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or positions of Hollidan, Inc., or any of their affiliates, subsidiaries, sponsors or assigns – under all circumstances your mileage may vary…Any advantages that can be found by players within the statement "how to play" but not stated may be taken… Signed, Your friendly Hollidan Improved Towing Service II… HITS II… Our motto - "When you are feeling run down – you’ll be glad HITS II is around"!! . . . Slygranny had a question. "Dan - maybe it's not the vehicles that are worn! Maybe it's the drivers, or backseat drivers even? Haven't seen mention of any laundry in the last couple of days - with these hot climes we are traveling in now, maybe a little distance is good (i.e. - a loooong tow rope)? … also have a question re the limitations of towing service - just how diligent are you on the toothpaste thing - and who gets to do the research to check out whether it is available? Enquiring minds would like to know before it's too late. Donna's snooze alarm failed so I have to ask. " . . . Dan informed the racers of an unusual happening. "Ruth, I think the guys at YAHOO are reading The EARS of Ruth - maybe I should send it in a brown wrapper cover next time! I heard they just read it for the articles though!" . . . to which she replied, "Brown paper wrapper is better than the old newspaper wrapping dead fish I received this morning. Figured maybe the Yahoo boys are jealous of the highly skilled, well-disciplined racers at Hollidan's and are showing their pique. (Oops, sorry for the chauvinistic remark – I meant yahoo folks!) Thanks for the suggestion. There is a ton of brown wrapping in HUSTLE II's vault. They use it for Mummy wrap during tomb expeditions" . . . Esme remarked, "Only boys behave the way Yahoo behaves, Ruth." . . . Donna's serious comment, "Well I am a tad worried about this...Posted EARLIER today in the Double Donna message reply, about asking for free points- of course this was way before this message was sent to me- But I have not seen my message return to my email box! Sigh... my luck it will arrive just in the start time of this new option...and since yahoo is just being yahoo.... can you EBS the point worth for tomorrow with your clue A- B- C or something ." . . . Ruth's A-HA! Reply…"I TOLD you! Yahoo is being a brat about the racers! Next thing you know they'll stick a ringer in among us. Did anyone check out that tall, handsome stranger weeding in Donna's garden ... wearing racing colors on his t-shirt?" . . . continuing, she added, "… and the last time I stopped at Esme's, there was an extra "grandchild" at the dinner table --- only he was 6 ft 4 inches tall, wore an African hunting jacket and kept asking about clues . . . Esme didn't notice. She had her conductor's baton in her hand, practicing!" . . . A surprised Donna said, "Someone was weeding in my garden.... Whoo HOO!" . . . (She also sounded pleased!) . . . Vera asked, "Does he also come with really big muscles to help get that bear in position?" . . . Dale asked, "Which Donna is that? . . . Esme replied, "I remember that guy. He's pretty well traveled too!" . . . A message arrived from Larry, titled thanks from Larry and Blue. "Sad to say but July is the month I have to travel for my job with the College Board. I get to spend lots of days in some not so great places teaching teachers how to teach Advanced Placement classes. Currently I'm in a Holiday Inn that says it has free wireless internet but that is only if you are sitting in the lobby in the chair directly in front of the women's restroom. There is a guy sitting on the floor in front of me with his laptop to catch the signal as well. Anywhere else and the signal fails! Some of the servers I've been on are so slow that it makes playing the TT game take forever---but it has been great fun… One night this month I played the game sitting outside a hospital emergency room---because they had wireless….Still this VSRR has been a ball and I have greatly enjoyed all the puzzles and secret help I've received from everyone. (I'll never tell who)…You guys have made me laugh and helped break the boredom of being away from home so much---guess that is why you are a "Circle of Friends". Best send this quick before the signal fails---and thanks again for Being such great folks all month---as Clint Eastwood says so well---you guys "Make My Day"… Signed, Larry -- somewhere in rural Georgia in the Holiday Inn Select---imagine if it was not "Select"! . . . Dale, appearing to be helpful, said, "What type of signals are the women trying to get across. Maybe if you were to move to the side you could understand the signals better." . . . Dan greeted Larry, saying, "Hey Larry - glad you could join us - hey since you are staying at a Holiday Select Night tonight - will you be qualified to perform brain surgery tomorrow?" . . . Helen waved at Larry, "Hey, Larry, If you're anywhere near Augusta, Id yourself." . . . Suddenly, the microphone crackled and a booming voice made the following announcement . . . "Today's answer - the name of a place… Clue A: As of the end of 2003, 1,919 people had visited (829 of them since 1998)… Clue B: found to be 6' higher in 1999… Clue C: 179 people died while visiting - some still lie exactly were they died…Clue D: Named by Andrew Waugh, the British surveyor-general of India…Additional clues will follow"…and just as suddenly and mysteriously the voice spoke in a whisper . . ."Dan Lima would like to recall the message, "VSRR II - Day 20 - Clue D". . . The ever vigilant Donna asked, "D before c- b- a? Did we have an oops here?" . . . Dale jumped in. "NOPE it's too late. Cost you travel points." . . . Dan answered, "OOPS is a command in AutoCAD - that will recall your last command. - Unfortunately - I'm not designing a roadway or a building – LOL." . . . A frustrated Dan replied, "WOULD YOU BELIEVE, FOR THE FIRST TIME ALL DAY YAHOO WORKS ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY!!!!!!!!!...ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH!... Well at least rules don't change - maybe strategy will!" . . . A clearing of the throat and Dan continued, "ARRGH – Yahoo – first they drag their butts all day long and then with the error of one number --I sent off Clue D for Day 20 early, and suddenly Yahoo is working at the speed of light... So, to make it fair I’ll be sending all the clues out after I get done with this dispatch! What’s so frustrating is the time spent trying to craft challenging clues that build on each other – that go **POOF** just like that – oh well that’s what life does to all of us sometimes – anybody want some lemonade!... Humor me – when you send me your answer in the morning please tell me which Clue convinced you that you have the right choice, A, B, C, D, etc…As requested, the points for Day 20 are posted below – along with the Hollidan Improved Towing Service II – tows for the day – please be sure you understand – how towing works before ordering a tow – strategy goes a long way in the Tow Business…http://dtlima.com/VSRR%20II/HITS%20II.htm …Sure would be nice if Yahoo would behave itself!...Type at you in the morning!" . . . signed, HRS . . . continuing, Dan said, "I hate it when that happens! LOL ---- No, really! I planned it that way - yeah, it's a ploy - a strategy deployed by TOOJ to confound and confuse himself --- err I mean the racers!" . . . The second Final Dispatch arrived." Okay - all straightened up and table is clear for the evening - if you have sent me a correct answer so far it's on the score sheet. There will be 2 more clues for the Day 20 location that will be sent out at starting time… Thanks for the fun - hopefully Yahoo behaves itself over night… Type at you in the morning." . . . Racers began milling around studying maps, borrowing flashlights and magnifying glasses, checking encyclopedias, scrutinizing the horizon --- trying to avoid reading clue D … "the Oops! Clue"… Nothing worked! There is nothing to be found that is significant to 1,919 people visiting a place (?), by the end of 2003 – nor 829 visiting since 1998… On to the next clue. 6 ft. higher in 1999… Shucks, an Indian mound? ... A lake – or water table … Pampas grass in the Argentine? … An aggravating acronym like 'plateau?' … Try Clue C … 179 people died while visiting – hmmm, surprising that 179 people died in quite a few incidents … Mumbai train bombing, Indian ocean earthquake, Peruvian earthquake, Finland …Mount Everest … AHA!! Thar she blows!!! Mount Everest – everything checks out… the National Geographic Society re-measured in 1999 and found it to be higher – and "as of the end of 2003 1,919 people had reached the summit (829 of them since 1998) and 179 people died while summitting. " . . . Now I can peek at Clue D … There's so much dad-burned snow up here I can't see the other racers, but there'll be lots of adventure stories to tell when we get back to HUSTLE II … heading there for coffee now and to swap stories. What a place this is…found a St. Bernard at the top wagging his tail … no cask around his neck, just a note saying "I owe you one. signed Dale." . . .