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This is really something for a rainy day, so long as you're equipped
with the essentials.  What you need is a microwave oven, some grapes,
a small measure of sunflower oil and some friends with which to
compete.
>
The idea is thus.  Firstly, if the microwave is of the type that has
one of those silly rotating dish-like things, which rotates your food
to make sure it gets cooked evenly, then TAKE IT OUT and THROW IT
AWAY.  You won't need it for this game and, if you get addicted
enough, you probably won't use your microwave for anything else, so
you won't need that dish thing ever again.  OK, next, lightly cover
the floor of the oven with a SMALL amount of sunflower oil.  Just
generally spread it about, to make a thin, lubricating layer, on which
a grape may skate about.  Try it with a practice grape to make sure
you've got it right.  Then, line up a number of grapes at one side of
the oven, with one grape corresponding to each player.  Important tip
here - MAKE SURE THAT THE END WITH THE HOLE IN IT IS POINTING AT THE
WALL.  This is really quite fundementally important.  Next, lay bets -
or whatever - on your grape, that it will win/lose/finish in a
particular position or state/whatever.  Then, set the microwave to
full power, and switch on.  What happens is that the inside of the
grape heats up, liquifies, and acts as a jet propellant to push the
grape along the lubricated floor of the microwave as it shoots out the
hole at the back.  Thus, each grape travels with varying degrees of
speed and/or success across the floor.  The first to reach the other
side of the oven is judged to be the winner, or, failing this, the one
to travel the furthest.  Some grapes don't make it even this far, and
either shrivel up or explode messily on the starting line, but this
just adds to the fun.  Remember to switch off the microwave and remove
the competitors before replacing them for the next round.
>
The game can be varied according to players and their individual
tastes, like "Strip Grape Races" for example, or "Stunt Grapes" where
the grape must perform a task like jumping over other grapes, etc.
These, and other variations, should keep you and your friends amused
for hours.
>
Remember - you saw it here first.
>
James
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-- 
 Tom Jennings -- tomj@wps.com -- World Power Systems --  San Francisco, Calif.
 The Little Garden -- admin@admin.tlg.rg.net -- S.F. Bay Area Internetwork

