This is why I have random news item widgets on my home page. If I didn’t I wouldn’t have seen the reference on Mashable, which led to the website which led to the blog. They all say pretty much the same thing, starting Wednesday the 9th you can get $3 million Monopoly dollars and start plunking them down in Google Streets and building.  There’s no place yet to sign up and there are only two posts on the blog so this seems to be a fairly new announcement.  What a great way to waste time at work! Or from not doing everything else I’m supposed to be doing.

They are a little unclear how you collect rent but they say that you do so maybe this is a bit like the city building games as well. I hope I can decide what country to start in by Wednesday.

On April 15th a new champion will emerge from Union Station in Washington, DC.  That is the 2009 Monopoly National Champion along with winnings of $20,580 and entry to the World Championships in Las Vegas in October.  Who doesn’t dream of this?  (although the last time I checked, players had to pay their own way to the tournament, so it may remain a dream for many)

MONOPOLY players of all skill levels across the country are invited to enter the competition to qualify for the 2009 MONOPOLY United States National Championship tournament. For more information on how to qualify for the National Championship,  visit www.monopoly.com before March 12, 2009.