“SIX FEET OVER" SCIENTIFICALLY SELECTED RABCK BOOKDRAW & THE SILVER DREAM MACHINE
When I posted Mary Roach’s “Six Feet Over” as an RABCK “Thank You” book draw I said that my dog, Mr’ Baggins Gandalf of Noble Look, has undertaken to draw the winner.
The draw took place today under strict supervision as he was insistent that this must be done scientifically, with no favouritism and with total impartiality. He actually insisted that an independent auditing firm be present to protect his reputation. When I explained to him that it is a Sunday when most accountants are playing golf or lolling on their yachts and about the Enron scandal he was satisfied that photographs and ♥ girl as witness would suffice.
The rules of the draw were as follows:
· Fourteen bookcrossers expressed interest in the draw.
· Each participant was allocated a number from 1 (one) to 14 (fourteen)
· These numbers were appended to pieces of paper in permanent ink to prevent tampering. These numbers were placed on the back lawn in random order in plain view for the sake of transparency in the selection process. The copy of “Six Feet Over” was placed in front of the numbered papers to prevent confusion of what was at stake.
· Each number was identified with a piece of Frankfurter, of equal size, to entice the adjudicator to participate.
· Mr. Baggins had the option to enter from stage right or stage left to do the honours - He chose to enter stage left (drum roll)
· He chose the second number from the left - the paper with the number 1 (one) appearing ……ta-raaaa!!!!
· Mr Baggins then proceeded to examine the remaining numbers to ensure that the draw was more free and fair than the Zimbabwe elections.
· ♥ Girl showing that number 1 (one) was the winning number.
· Examination of the master list revealed that LEISHACAMDEN was allocated this number. Congratulations!
Please let me have your address to claim the book and the other South African surprises. In the process you will become a multi-millionaire. Richer than you ever dreamed - This is a solemn promise.
On a lighter note. Yesterday I went to my nephew to give him free and advice on interior decorating. He recently moved into his own town house and needed some assistance to make his hovel habitable. I am not only an aspiring Michelin star chef but am also known as the Terence Conran of Westdene.
I parked my vehicle in front of the block of town houses, next to a vintage V8 MGB GT with an elderly gentleman behind the wheel.
“Nice Car” I said, referring to the MG. “Nice car” he replied referring to my Mazda MX5. We started talking about ragtops and he told me that he own some other vintage car. He kindly showed me two of his lovingly restored beauties kept under wraps in his garage.
One was a 1954 Austin Healey that he bought as a virtual wreck in the old Rhodesia. He has restored it to the full M100 Le Mans specifications, as it was raced on that famous track in Italy many years ago. The car is clearly a labour of love, a timeless classic and the epitome of the true British Sports Car.
It is truly a Silver Dream Machine and I remembered how I lusted to own one in the 1970’s but even then I couldn’t afford it. This particular Austin Healy is still regularly used in vintage car rallies and has been left to the owner’s son in his will. Ah well….