I think I'm a little nuts.

I'd have to be goofy to go to the St. Paul Pioneer Press office at midnight to get a newspaper that contains a clue to lead me to a small, plastic medallion. But here I am, trying to find the thing again this year.

The clue in today's paper was the eighth one, and as far as I know, no one's found it yet. I figure the three-clue hunt last year got the clue writer miffed, so the clues will be harder than ever this year. Great, just great. Way to go, medallion finder from last year. Ruin it for everyone by going too fast.

I'm having a ball.

The St. Paul Winter Carnival medallion hunt has been going on for two days. I'm pretty excited about the whole thing, and I'm hoping to get into it more this year.

Men and women ages 55 and older are eligible to become candidates for the senior royalty program run in conjunction with the St. Paul Winter Carnival.

Three men and three women are selected as royalty who will reign over the winter carnival and throughout the year. All candidates participate in the senior royalty coronation held Feb. 3 at the Landmark Center.

A rewritten press release from the St. Paul Winter Carnival, where I will be hunting for treasure this winter:

The St. Paul Winter Carnival is proud to kick off the festival season with the 2007 winter carnival button unveiling and kids button bash on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory.