Rain Pool
Most Shalampaxians will know this, but I don’t remember ever mentioning it here in Shalampax Speaks. About five or so years ago, I created a betting pool. The question on which the pool was based was, “For how many consecutive days will we have at least a half-hour—it could be more, but at least a half-hour—of rain every day?”
At that point, it had already been raining for just over three years, so the predictions started at a fairly high number. There was an extraordinary interest in the betting. As a result, the jackpot climbed to $123,975.
The betting has been closed for some time now, but today I can announce that I’m ready to hand over the prize. As of yesterday, we have had 2,994 consecutive days with at least a half-hour of rain each day.
There is no end to the precipitation in sight, but the highest number selected was 2,994 so, because we have already reached that point, nobody can come closer than that. Consequently, the person who guessed 2,994 takes home the prize.
Please bear with me while I check my records to see who had the winning guess. … Drum roll please. … The winner is Birdinhand! Yes, that’s right, the prize is mine!
All I can say is, with apologies to Irving Berlin,
The weather is frightening.
The thunder and lightning
Seem to be having their way.
But as far as I’m concerned, it’s a lovely day.
I am about to open up the betting again with the guesses starting at 2,995 because that’s now the fewest possible consecutive rainy days. As I did the last time, I will give everyone who wants to take a flier on this a chance to make a guess before I put in my prediction. Good luck.
The freqent rains in England are typically attributed as the cause of the great complexions of the English.
Based on that, the people of Shalampax must have the best complexions ever. I guess that is a bit of luck to offset the frequently acknowledged unattractive nature of the locals.
The ying and yang of physical attractiveness, I suppose.
Hmmmmm, I guess there’s no chance this betting pool was rigged was there?
@David: I haven’t seen the complexions of many non-Shalampaxians, so I can’t compare, but ours do tend to be somewhat smooth. But most of us are still fairly ugly.
@MadMadMargo: Rig the betting? Me? How could you say such a thing? Although, I do reserve the right to be the last person to bet before closing off the betting. And just because we haven’t had a day in more than eight years without at least a half-hour of rain, doesn’t mean we won’t in the future. Hell, it could happen tomorrow. Care to place a bet?
@Birdinhand
No thank you, I only bet on horses.
@MadMadMargo: OK, it’s your call of course, but you never know, the pool may mount again and you’ll be missing out on your chance to win it.