J: Fair enough. So you are saying that you were the first to post about SARS because you had a “feeling” that this would develop into a large problem?
MA: Yes
J: And this feeling, is it about lottery numbers, weather, elections etc.
MA: (Laughing), no James it is just about science. However I know where you are heading with that lottery business. I thought you had cut down on your gambling?
J: I have MA a lot. My first trip here to Nevada taught me some very expensive lessons.
J: How about you, do you still play the nickle slots?
MA: Religiously. And I have been doing quite well lately, thank you very much.
J: How much can you win with a nickel?
MA: Well it actually takes 5 nickles to be eligible for the jackpot. If you hit a royal flush then it is usually 2 to 3 hundred dollars, depending on how long it has been since it hit.
J: That is decent money.
MA: It is great fun for us old ladies and there is nothing better for clearing the mind. But in all honesty James, there are those times when I almost know that I am going to have a very good day on the slots.
J: I know that when I am unhappy I never win at poker.
MA: I understand.
How did I end up on your ping list?
5.56mm
J: I had never thought of human evolution in quite those terms, it is really kind of cool.
MA: Very cool indeed.
J: Thank you for taking the time to give such a detailed explanation. It makes a few things a lot clearer for me.
MA: Good
J: You know, MA, that I have closed all my e-mail accounts where readers were giving me feedback.
MA: I understand.
J: It got a bit repetitious and, in all honesty, this project is winding down. I hope that our friendship can remain however - it is lots of fun knowing you.
MA: James, you are always welcome in my home and you can use my cabin any time you choose. After all you have done so much work up there you should own some sweat equity by now. But it will good to see you move on to something new. You have probably wasted your time writing about me.
J: MA I have never thought that you fully understand how well known and respected you are on the Internet. It is my opinion that your writings from the last seven years will be quoted for some time to come.
I would not have missed this series of articles for the world. This project was started on a whim, grew to be an all-consuming effort for me and it is now my prize possession. Not to mention Kate and the change she has made in my life.
MA: That is good to hear James.
Hi James,
Thanks for this post! What fun to read. And I will have you know that my grandmother won the nickle slots EVERY time she went to Vegas with my parents and her daughter. She was cheap as heck and this brought our family a lot of fun having her “gamble” and win every time.