The morning started off early as Dan announced the Day 28 Final Dispatch, saying, "In what's shaping up to be a West Coast vs. Illinois battle to the finish … Rita of the Illinois team raced to first place as of 16:00 ZULU edging out the rookie sensation for 1st place… Esme holds onto third and two more members of the IL team round out the top 5… NPS and Donna! Ruth hangs on at #6 and Kay, not wanting New Mexico left out of the mix is 7th… 1st place - Rita - 23156 points… 2nd place - WCDonna - 23041 points … 3rd place Esme - 21676 points … 4th place - NPS - 18565 points … 5th place - Donna - 17144 … BJOD - Kay moves from 13th to 7th - looks like we are headed towards an exciting finish! … Remember - there are only two more days of TT - trivia played on the 31st WILL NOT COUNT - Saturday and Sunday - LAST TWO days of Trivia!" … Signed HRS" . . . Replying to Dale's lament about being passed by with tow trucks and now Bingo, Dan said, "Please note we do stop for gold flags waving!" . . . Answering slygranny's question 'so when you get in between two wild cards, does that mean you get 4,' Dan answered, "No but you do get ONE from either side." . . . slygranny answered, "Definitely should count twice!! I am making my protest sign now!! Appealing to jury of my peers also!!" . . . Dan responded laughing, "Please use white ink for the most dramatic effect …. for Esme that always evokes many comments." . . . Ruth said, "…and Esme uses that lovely Colonial white - much softer on the eyes. That bright white is blinding!!" . . . Allyn interjected, "I noticed a couple of ringers joining in the trivial play at the last minute. They did skew the finals. Is this one of those "any advantage found" sort of things?" . . . Dan replied, "Good question - two racers are playing for Larry and Penny while they are away - not sure who Meggie is!" . . . Allyn continued, "Ahem. We DO know who Meggie is. What we don't know is why she suddenly decided to play...and stopped just as suddenly without answering any questions." . . . (…and she signed MATM!!) . . . "Vera said, "Hmm, OR is it first chance to really sit down at the computer with the busy day schedule? Have a nice glass of wine, quiet time! ...Yep!" . . . slygranny laughed, "Not about skewing points - it's just me giving Dan a hard time… I got between and next to, both he and Tracy last night, so I am trying to claim points for being next to both - i.e. 2x points. In my books, could be an advantage found!! … Not a lot of points anyway tho, she laughed!" . . . WCDonna laughed, "Go for it! Hey, it's worth a try right? ... PS. Penny is out of computer range so I'm playing for her on Trivial Trivia. She forgot to give me her password, so we set up a new account for her for last night, today and tomorrow. I believe Dan is combining the old scores with the new ones, so things shouldn't skew too much… Sorry to create confusion. I don't know who Meggie is either!" . . . Answering Helen's caution about being careful on the freeway en route to Atlanta, PattyBo said, "In the world of watching expenses...a lot of our meetings have been turned into lengthy web conference calls and emailing projects whenever possible instead of traveling. ...That will be the case this time also. Doesn't bother me at all… I'm not a good traveler, but will be going through Atlanta on vacation first week of October and I know what the traffic can be like. Last year we got caught in a bad rain and it took about 2 hours to make it through. Not fun!" . . . Karen, aka HTM, jumped in with BINGO, announcing her list of calls. "1 Esme's conductor's wand … 2 Donna's Flamingos…3 Larry's sled dogs…4 Hog's Breath Saloon…5 Basket of Cheer and Clorox…6 30 gallons of gas 7 crazy virtual tourist …8pecan pancakes…9 whisper the bull…10 wild palms." . . . Dan replied, "You are the first of Day 29 to Holler Bingo - points unofficially awarded awaiting final certification from Judge Holli." . . . "Cool, Thanks Dan," laughed Karen. I had bingo a couple of days ago but waited so I could be the first… Can't be the first on a work day!" . . . Dan strode to the bulletin board and posted yesterday's Ruth's EARS, -- "Today's Episode: 'Bullistic Bingo, Bongo, Bonker Boys and Babes go Bingo Bananas!' … which gave everyone a good laugh! . . . Donna spoke up about Friday night chat last night. "Sly hosted her first Yahoo chat last night. She did an awesome job and luckily, many members were on line... Of course, after a tiring week, I didn't stay long, but definitely enjoyed it. Hope to see you next week." . . . Karen said, "Good job Sly!!! I had a good time." . . . Helen added, "Enjoyed it while I could stay...had bad thunder and lightning in the area, so hopped out early… I need to get a microphone hooked in so I can talk also." . . . Vera said, "Helen, always better to be safe. We have a house located across the street and down 2 houses! It is a lightening magnet! Been struck 5 times in last 2 years! I go to battery power and ride it out! Better safe...than replace!" . . . Ruth commented, "Does anyone ever make a copy of a chat? I had to laugh thinking that with all the 'chatting' going on this month, what can you find to chat about!! … With all the great talkers, I guess there's always plenty. I note that the chat reminders have not been going out lately. My problem is that I forget." . . . Rita joined in, "Yes, Sly did a great job. Although I missed a couple of you by getting in late, I did get to talk to Bob. He sounds wonderful. Just finished remodeling their kitchen, so cook Bob can continue to put together those tasty and now healthy meals." . . . Vera spoke up, "Ditto that....she was awesome! Even followed what I thought and not necessarily what I typed or said! …That is good!!!... Thanks - Great Job!" . . . Karen said, "I have my IM set on archives. I have a record of last night's talk… Although, before I share I want permission from people there...That would be Vera, Bob, Donna, Helen, Sly and anyone else who was in the conference while I was" . . . slygranny laughed, oh oh - what did we say! " . . . Donan said, "Good point Sly... but yeah... I don't care!" . . . (Donan?) . . . Esme popped in, "Who is that Don-an person?" . . . Donna replied, "A frustrated member who can't figure out the AA today... anyone want to trade the SS for the AA?" . . . Karen replied, "Funny thing is when I went to conference archives all I saw were my replies. I guess that would leave everybody guessing at what was said Friday night" . . . Esme sagely remarked, "I showed up at some point. I didn't know it was your chat debut. Good job… I don't think I said anything I'd regret, although, NEVER put anything in writing that you don't want to see on the front page of the New York Times." . . . Vera laughed, "No problem here that I know of?!!!" . . . Vera continued, "Hmmm, are you sending to Ruth for her editing? … She is woman of high character in case someone did slip up!" . . . Slygranny said, "And don't forget Rita's place on Sunday - how do we get to see that anyway? Messenger? … Sadly, we did miss Dale. That was him that did get in and accidentally bumped himself out… Unfortunately I didn't realize until I got the email after we closed off. Maybe that was what that buzz sound was - Dale ringing at the door? ... Glad I did get to see so many on line last night, as I go back to work end of next week and will be at work on Friday evenings for the next 2 weeks. Maybe by the time I come back, I can figure out the voice thing." . . . Snoopy commented laughing, "It just occurred to me, and I wanted to point out that, me-thinks Dan has a strange thought process going on this bingo thing… In most bingo games, the FIRST person to call bingo wins the game. The way Dan is going here, the longer it takes you to get or call bingo, the better off you are point-wise… Isn't this a little strange Dan??' she continued laughing. …"Of course this is somewhat consistent with the other *not normal* point set-up he's got going here. Oh well........ it's just a lame observation on my part." . . . Dan answered, "As compared to what?" . . . Rita agreed. "Yep, you never know what kind of points you will get. That makes it more interesting and allows everyone to strategize." . . . WCDonna laughed, "Isn't this a little strange Dan??" . . . "Good one Kay! He talks strange, just like a lawyer too! So much double-talk! Cracks me up! ... Have a good weekend!" . . . Dan announced…"Hi racers - I'm headed to the scorer's couch - but before I go - both the AA and SS have been posted - some of the racer's have asked for more of a challenge on the SS - so in an attempt to comply I have hidden the SS#29 today in a very conspicuous place - sometimes the best way to be subtle is to be obvious! … Remember - I work in the computer industry - very little is ever truly random - there is a precise logic to my ramblings! … Starting gun is primed for 20:00 ZULU" . . . slygranny laughed, "Evil! No wonder you are hiding." . . . to which Dan replied, "Naw, just making it interesting -4 racers have already found it!" . . . WCDonna laughed, Ok Dan, between the AA and the SS today, I think you might just be trying to "fry" any brain cells we have left! … Is this day 15 all over again?" . . . Dan laughed, "I will say the source of the AA today was Tracy - that should help! … 4 racers have the answer for the SS already!" . . . Thanks," . . . Donna laughed, "Care to give us another clue Dan? … " . . . Dan replied, "6 racers have the SS so far " . . . Helen remarked, "And he doesn't answer...must be a good nap....The SS is either what it says or my eyes can't take any more passes over the page." . . . Donna expostulated, "Who doesn't have a life? … must be the same person who wants harder SS's...geesh!" . . . Holli stepped to the mike laughing…"And today's Bullistic Bingo is' … there was a long pause, and she continued, ".Guess you will have to figure it out!" . . . Donna jumped up, "Willie Nelson- what do I win?...SuzyQ's left over zucchini bread…what do I win?... Rain Water...What do I win?" . . . Karen said, "Rock band groupie! … I know it is." Impatient, Donna said, "Tracy... do wake up Dan.... its 3 ... time to race!" . . . . . and lo! Dan was crossing the main deck lounge heading for the racer's lounge as she spoke! … Racers were in position. … set? … Oops, small delay as Dale ran to the laundry to turn off the dryer. Then after some disapproving looks he ran back and removed the sheets folding them neatly! …ready? Dan checked his watch, dropped the flag and the race was on!! … Clue A … A place!! … Claimed by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage for Spain in 1493. . . . (Antigua and Barbuda?) . . . Clue B: The island fell under English control in 1632 when a group of Irish fleeing anti-Catholic sentiment were forcibly settled there. . . . Clue C: In 1782, during the American Revolutionary War, this location was briefly captured by France. . . Clue D: Became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation from 1958 to 1962. . . . (…there were several islands in that Federation.) . . . Clue E: In September 1989 Hurricane Hugo struck with full force, damaging over 90 percent of the structures on the island. . . . (I thought Gilbert did the most damage…which island does he mean?) . . . Clue F: In July 1995 the local volcano, dormant throughout recorded history, rumbled to life and began an eruption which eventually buried the island's capital, Plymouth, in more than 40 feet of mud . . .(NOW he tells me! That is Montserrat Island, -- Crown Colony of Montserrat," part of the lesser Antilles!) . . . Clue G: It comprises only 40 square miles and is increasing gradually due to volcanic deposits on the southeast coast of the island". . . . (that was the final clue…shall I hold the answer or send now?...) . . . slygranny said, "Hi folks - back from making supper and eating - my son was on my computer, so I had to wait to send in my location too. Nothing on chat last night that would even interest anyone other than the folks on line at the time - I discovered that messenger does save conversations - so I went through and deleted everything that was stored on my messenger - found place to set things so they don't have to save - I think " . . . Helen replied, "I finished dinner here also, Sly … Now, if the AA will reveal itself, I can quit for the night...So, will Holli the Bullmaster call my last one tomorrow, or am I going to have to take the free spot and lose the points....I go on Jury duty Monday… Am not certain what that will bring, except may keep me at the County Courthouse for too much of the last race day!" . . . "Oh that's not fair," said slygranny! . . . Dan said, "I'm all caught up as of 00:30 ZULU - please check your score to make sure I haven't missed anything." . . . Donna remarked, "I see Dan made it easier to find the SS ... Glad he isn't attempting to make those who haven't found it go nuts!" . . . Dan continued, "Days 30 and 31 will have some special rules and multiple opportunities to get points. . . . please look for a special announcement about rules tomorrow, day 30 … these rules will be posted well in advance of the 21:00 ZULU start time… Signed HRS" . . . Fussing from Donna. "I think we need these NOW.... so we have time for questions and digesting them...geesh... after a month you want us to have a new program… NOW! pleassssssssseeeeeeeee!" . . . From the depths of the laundry came a plaintive wail from Dale, "Help--I've fallen and can't get up." . . . Donna laughed, "How much is it worth to you?" . . . Karen said, "Hi Holli … Alvin and the Chipmunks did one version of On the Road again... but Bob Dylan!" . . . "Bob Dylan?" said Allyn! "It must have been really dark at that concert. It had to be either Rosemary Clooney or Leon Redbone. Check your play list!" . . . Signed MATM! . . . The discussion ended when someone mentioned Willie Nelson. . . . As everyone debarked the ship for Montserrat Island, brochures were passed around along with suntan lotion and dark glasses… Hmmm, "a rugged, scenic island of volcanic origin … one of the Leeward islands of the West Indies…African and European ancestry … Lush, green and mountainous, its volcanic eruption in 1995 destroyed the capital, Plymouth … temporarily replaced … An hour by ferry or twenty minutes by helicopter to Antigua 27 miles away with it's international airport…..A resident Governor represents the British Crown!" … Well!! We have our facts… now for an hour of snorkeling before the picnic. . . . HUSTLE II is preparing a mid-day feast under the trees in the mountains overlooking the sparkling waters of the Caribbean … cloth covered tables, deep cushioned chairs… chilled wine…and wonderful food to share with friends …. Grilled Red Snapper with Passion Fruit Coulis, Black-eyed Peas and Rice with Coconut Cream, Grilled Chili Corn Bread, Mango-glazed Carrots with Pistachios, Chayote and Summer Squash, Papaya, Mango, and Jicama Salad … followed by Key Lime Pie, Tropical Fruit Kabobs with Cinnamon Yogurt. . . . Later, much later…dancing on the deck under the stars to the rhythm of the Caribbean . . . .