Re: 197:6

From: Nathan F Russell (nrussell_at_acsu.buffalo.edu)
Date: Tue Nov 26 2002 - 12:37:02 PST


On Tue, 26 Nov 2002, Steve Gardner wrote:

> Elegantly attired in fins and tails, I, long-swimming member of the
> Tasteful Merman Society, have navigated my leisurely way to the FRC
> Christmas Club to join the festivities, perhaps for the last time. Yes,
> for the last time, I say, for I am getting old, although perhaps I am
> not ready to 'face immortal sunset yet', as the poet once put it.
> 
> As Treasurer of the Christmas Club it had fallen to me to spend as I saw
> fit the FB100 gift voucher given us by one of our many benefactors, and
> tucked snugly beneath a ventral fin was a letter, proof of my purchase.
> It has long been a dream of mine that FRC should acquire a luxury
> European car for use by Committee Members, and now that dream was a step
> closer to reality: for the sum of FB89.95, the letter (in a water-proof
> envelope, naturally) said, a friend of mine would swim by next week to
> ensure that the somewhat cramped FRC garage could offer sufficient room
> for car I had my on. A costly Fiat measurement, some might say, but
> worth every cent, in my view. 
> 
> Earlier that afternoon, I had spent some hours splashing and cavorting
> among some of the more obscure antique dealers that a merman of my taste
> and sophistication has the pleasure frequently to acquaint, and with the
> remaining FB10 had managed to acquire from an old friend an exquisite
> Chinese puzzle box, carved from mahogany and inlaid with ivory on four
> sides, while on the lid was depicted in a bas-relief carving a tiny
> figure, superbly crafted, representing the legendary Ørjan, shown in the
> acting of bringing the FRC into existence - an immortal Usenet fact,
> yes! I knew this piece would find a welcome home among the other
> tasteful artefacts in the Committee's collection.
> 
> Arriving at the Committee's secluded rooms in an exclusive up-town
> locale near the Canal, I placed the box prominently in the display
> cabinet, inviting my fellow Committee members to appreciate its
> craft, daring them to penetrate its secrets, and remarked, as if
> casually, "Is there a more extravagant anagrammatizer here than I? I
> seriously doubt it - I outdo even McEue! If not, let future Rules prove
> it. Now, do I satisfy Rule? Commentate!"

I like it.  However, I'm kind of debating with myself whether cashing in a
gift certificate counts as returning a gift - strictly speaking,  Steve
returned the certificate to the place of purchase, to be sure.  

In any event, given that the Rule is misnumbered, I'd not declare it
invalid - it seems to be the victim of a race condition on the mail
server.  

Nathan

-- 
Rule Date: 2002-11-26 20:37:26 GMT


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