Try to think of this as salt water chocolate. Some months ago, Old Bay Seasonings had an essay contest (100 words or less) on Why I Like Shrimp Boiled with Old Bay Seasoning. As a dyed in the wool contester, I wrote my brief essay and forgot about it. On Friday, I got a phone call from Julie with Old Bay. Julie told me that I am now one of the contestants in a shrimp-eating contest on the 26th of July in Katy (on the western outskirts of Houston). When she called, I became one of 5 contestants, but I don't know how many more will be added. The winner and runner-up will win a trip for two to Boston for the finals. I've never been to Boston, so that is exciting, provided I win. But being optimistic by nature, I need advice from those of you familiar with the city on what I should see and do while there. I have been entering contests and sweepstakes for several years, and mostly it is a lost envelope, 3 x 5 card, and stamp. Occasionally I get a T-shirt or a gimme cap, but they come so long after the contest that I have trouble remembering what it was. Last year I got a beautiful Swiss watch. When DH and I took other watches in to a jeweler to replace batteries, I asked the jeweler to estimate the value of the watch. It was much higher than the $100 I had guesstimated, so I flaunt it more now. But this is one contest I did remember entering. The grand prize was two weeks in Switzerland.
If I get the trip to Boston, I will tell everyone, and hope to meet anyone who lives in or around there.
Nell in Austin