if you don't know what this lottery about, you are too late.  This morning at 9am, the grand and glorious Commonwealth of Virginia (vs a state for you other 45 schmoes) raffled off 54 tickets for the grandest prize in the last 4 centuries (well to some it probably is).

These lucky 54 people, and a companion, will get to meet and greet Queen Elizabeth II.  When she comes to celebrate the quadricentenial of the founding of Jamestown this Thursday.  She is going to meet at the oldest ENGLISH (as there may be a Spanish one) continuing governing body in the new World, the Virginia General Assembly (and Governor what's his name).

IN celebration, the Governor (what's his name) has given all state employees off a day (half of them as they work in buildings surrounding the Executive mansion so they will be shut down that day), so we all have a day to burn, thanks to her Majesty.  Cant say that I mind.  But I will be one of the other 7 million Virginians that don't get to see her (really don't even care to other than to see what she looks like in person).  But is benefiting from another made up celebration. (At least these guys knew where they were going - unlike old Columbus and the Pilgrims.)

So for all you Diane Chambers out there, tough luck!  You can catch her on TV, as I am sure all the News Networks are going to run coverage 24x7, going over every minutae of the visit they can (like what kind of scones does she take with her tea).

It would have really been nice if Dharmagrl and Mum could have gotten tickets!  Now that would have been a great memory for a British subject to take back to England - Seeing the Queen on her vacation to the USA!