Picture Contest Winner

Some time back, I proposed a contest:

The person who comes closest to the actual number [of pictures taken in Japan] without going over will win something cheap and tacky from Japan that I will buy before I leave.

I haven't fogotten about this, I've just been too busy to do all that much with the pictures. But we do have a winner, of this priceless artifact:

i-2777531d3ecfd9f938d1f2dea348c93a-glowing_buddha.jpg

The total number of pictures I took on the trip was 1,508 (or, at least, that's the total number I ended up with-- I distinctly remember taking some pictures at one temple in northwest Kyoto, but they're not on either of the memory cards I used, which is exceedingly annoying). The winner of the contest is frequent commenter "cisko," who had a good and nerdy reason for choosing his guess:

1499.

I suspect your rate will go down considerably when you start the con, since you'll be more of a participant and less of a tourist.

I was going to guess 1500, but decided to go with the closest prime instead... and that's a cute one anyway.

Congratulations, cisko. Email me (orzelc at steelypips dot org) with a mailing address, and I'll send you your glow-in-the-dark Great Buddha keychain...

More like this

Several days ago, I mentioned that I had taken over 1,000 pictures on the trip thus far. That number has increased somewhat since then, and I offered a prize to the person who comes closest to guessing the final number, without going over. Specifically, I promised something cheap and tacky from…
I somehow managed to lose track of time for a bit, and forgot that it was Nobel season until I saw this morning's announcement that the 2007 Nobel Prize in Medicine hase just been announced, going to Mario R. Capecchi, Sir Martin J. Evans, and Oliver Smithies, for their discoveries of principles…
I've gotten away from posting Japan pictures, but here's what may be my favorite warning sign ever: In case you have trouble reading the text in the image: Stranger whosoever thou art and whatsoever be thy creed, when thou enterest this sanctuary remember thou treadest upon ground hallowed by the…
The Official Uncertain Principles Cosmic Jackpot Giveaway Contest was even more popular than I expected, with 122 comments (at the time of this writing) each trying to pick the "best" number. As promised, the winner will be announced today, but this really comes down to deciding which number is the…

Wow! I'm giddy!

It'll go perfectly next to my light-up pig keychain.

Of course, now I fully expect a Landis-like revocation when the missing photos are found. I'd better find a lawyer.

And most importantly: Thanks Chad!