Oops, I think that I've awakened the dreaded you-know-what!

Here?s another puzzle for all you researchers and commenters.  I have served a
huge amount of my sentence here in Prison in devising this just for the fun of
entertaining you with it.

The question relates to a highly-respected and much-loved member of
the Squiggle community.

If a researcher is the first to solve the puzzle, the researcher
claims the fee.  If a commenter solves it first, I will close the
question and pick up the tab (for the same amount) for a question of
the winner?s choice.

There are TWO PARTS to the Question. Are you ready?

PART 1: 
Which highly-respected and much-loved member of the Squiggle community
prices his/her Questions VERY PRECISELY right down to the EXACT CENT -
when most folk opt for a nice round number of DOLLARS?

Some examples: 9.99 7.14 3.14 4.40 2.81 2.34 2.90 2.80 18.98 (sic!) 2.07

PART 2:
And why does he/she do it?

Please note that:

(a) The Answer 'Because she is a woman' will not be acceptable.

(b) I don't even know the Answer myself.

Have Fun!

---

Clarification of Question by probonopublico-ga on 13 Apr 2004 00:58 PDT

Here's a clue ...

I suspect that the Questioner is French ...

And, of course, the French do everything differently ...

Vive La Difference!

---

Clarification of Question by probonopublico-ga on 15 Apr 2004 03:35 PDT

I would have loved to have been able to declare a winner, as I had a
$100 tip in mind. (I saw a rainbow this morning so you can imagine
what that did to my synesthesia.)

However, 'twas not to be because Journalist answered Part 1 correctly
and Pinkfreud answered Part 2.

My congratulations to you both but, regretfully, there is no provision
in the  Rules for this eventuality.

Such is Life.

Greetings Probonoman!

Answer to Part I: apteryx-ga 
http://answers.google.com/answers/search?q=%22Asked+by%3A+apteryx-ga%22&qtype=all

Answer to Part II: Why not?

Best regards,
journalist-ga  


SEARCH STRATEGY

Google Answers search:
$2.81
"Asked by: apteryx-ga"

Alternative answer to Part II:

The numbers are precisely equivalent to the daily exchange rates from
Apteryxinarian dinars into Google dollars.

Hya Bryan!

Alternative answer to part 2:

She is using figures derived from this answer:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=207696

Apteryx has said this about how she chose a question's price:

"I priced this question low because it is a just-for-fun or
just-curious one.  I always picture myself handing over the cash to
someone at an answer desk and ask myself, 'How much would you actually
pay to find this out?' and if it's not a serious matter, the answer is
generally not much (figuring the researcher is going to enjoy the
quesation too).  But for a three-part query, I guess I'd better up the
fee a little bit.  I picked $3.67 because inside my head it is the
same colors as a Royal Stewart tartan; now I'll choose a number that
is the color of a Black Watch plaid."

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=290807

Like many highly intelligent people, Apteryx has the gift of
synesthesia. For someone who has not had this experience, it is
practically impossible to explain how a number might be a certain
color in one's mind. I understand this quite well (although, for me,
almost everything is some shade of pink).

Och, Aye ... MacPink ... You seem to know EVERYTHING.

A touch of the MacNeill's is it?

Then all is explained!

I am sure that everyone recalls the words of the poet Paraig MacNeill: 
 
Yon Lady o'Lawers did proclaim
"A day would be at hand
when the feather o' the goose would drive
that memory from man" 

What could she mean by such a saying.
How did it come to pass
or spy did she sae sic' a thing,
up through her looking glass?

Why has man in such a state,
been left without a mind,
or want to re-open that gate
and take a look behind?

Where now are those who "progress'' has,
not at any time,
held back them from genteel regress,
for days o' auld lang syne?

Can we now find such an one,
the quill has not scratched out,
that father time won't overcome,
whose mind's eye he could not route?

Who is this one that builds the brig,
from days of old till now,
by songs and tales aye ere sae big,
from those that worked the plough?

Where then is he whose line is straight,
back to the kings of old,
whose pedigree he can relate, 
to Hebrideans bold?

In Perthshire's hills, he can be found.
His voice declaims the land
and those that walked the very ground
Bravehearts whose names shall stand

the test o' time, no man can break;
Generations o' the true.
The gallant ones he lifts to fame.
True Scots! o' tartan hue.

His name proclaims old royalty,
o' Gaels whose word would bind
great integrity wi' loyalty.
And a bekilted Apteryx he did find,
Eating haggis of the foulest kind.   

(Ideally, this should be proclaimed to the accompaniment of a synesthesia.)

Bryan

Search GA on 'apteryx' + 'pizza'.

What fun and what an absolute honor and thrill to be the subject of a
GA question!  Thank you, Probo, for this unparalleled experience.  I
must say that this is a true high point in my career.  How very
fitting, too, that such fame and glory should come to me
*anonymously*!

I don't want to interfere with your fascinating speculations, but I
can't help asking:  how is 7.14 or 18.98 a more precise number of
cents than 5.00?  In each case, I think we know exactly how many there
are.

Apteryx
<grinning in embarrassed delight>

P.S. I LOVE haggis, especially with neeps and tatties.  And a wee dram
. . . here's to the laddies.

Hi, Apteryx

It's great to have you back in action again!

We were all worried when we heard that you were suffering from synesthesia.

Having made enquiries, I have discovered that synesthesia usually
results from exposure to the White-lined Sphinx Moth.

Fortunately, the White-lined Sphinx Moth is only found in North
American desert regions.

But, unfortunately, a dead White-lined Sphinx Moth can carry the most
virulent form of synesthesia.

So, please be careful ...

And keep the Questions and Comments flowing!

Warmest regards

Bryan