Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - May 27
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. In 1866, what Scottish nobleman co-founded the Amateur Athletic Club, an influential sponsor of London boxing matches? Marquis of Queensberry
2. The 11th-highest grossing movie of 1984 and the fourth-highest grossing movie of 1985 both had what color in their titles? Purple (Purple Rain and The Color Purple)
3. Benjamin D. Foulois led the first air combat mission in U.S. history, while searching for what man? Pancho Villa
4. What do Americans call the asterism that's known as the Plough in Britain? Big Dipper
5. What body of water is home to the Uros Indians, who live on 42 floating reed islands on its surface? Amazon River
6. Hollywood couple Xander Berkeley and Sarah Clarke met while he was playing her boss on what TV show? No idea. I have never heard of either of these actors.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and no others? Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France (six times), Greece (five times), Italy (13 times), Lebanon, Libya, Spain, Syria, Turkey (four times), and the U.K. (13 times)? The total is 61 times. If something began after WWII, it would have happened about 61 times. Note the absence of Germany and Russia. I am guessing this relates to some annual event.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Who is the world's most famous user of the DECTalk DTC01 synthesizer? Stepen Hawking talks via one of these clunky old antiques, which is why he has an American accent even though he was born in Oxford. even if Peter Frampton used it, he is not as famous as Stephen Hawking
2. What major motion picture of 2007 held its premiere in, of all places, tiny Springfield, Vermont? The Simpsons Movie held a contest to see which of America's many Springfields would host the premiere. The tiny Vermont town edged out Springfield, Illinois for the honor. correct
3. What group took its name from the Al Aqsa Mosque, where it made its first headquarters in the 12th century? The Al Aqsa Mosque sits on Jerusalem's Temple Mount, and was the original hangout of the Knights Templar. what other 12th century groups do you know?
4. In 1986, who produced a short-lived MTV series called Fifteen Minutes? Yes, Andy Warhol used to be on MTV. On MTV, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes, except Matt Pinfield, who will be famous for 120 minutes. correct
5. Where, specifically, would you find Astroland, which was supposed to close last year but has recently reopened for one more summer? It's the famous old amusement park at Coney Island, now probably in its last months. no clues in the question that would have led me to that answer
6. What novel had its origins in The Harvest Gypsies, a series of articles printed in the San Francisco News in 1936? This is how John Steinbeck got interested in California's migrant-worker situation, which led to The Grapes of Wrath. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these rock albums? Am I Not Your Girl by Sinead O'Connor, Autoamerican by Blondie, Blue Valentine by Tom Waits, Congregation by the Afghan Whigs, I Am Gloria Gaynor, It's a Shame about Ray by the Lemonheads, With the Beatles, and A Wizard, a True Star by Todd Rundgren. Each of these albums has, as one of its tracks, a cover of a Broadway show tune. (In order: "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "Follow Me" from Camelot, "Somewhere," "The Temple" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "I Am What I Am" from La Cage Aux Folles, "Frank Mills" from Hair, "Till There Was You," and "Never Never Land" from Peter Pan. Phew.) I was definitely in the neighborhood.
1. In 1866, what Scottish nobleman co-founded the Amateur Athletic Club, an influential sponsor of London boxing matches? Marquis of Queensberry
2. The 11th-highest grossing movie of 1984 and the fourth-highest grossing movie of 1985 both had what color in their titles? Purple (Purple Rain and The Color Purple)
3. Benjamin D. Foulois led the first air combat mission in U.S. history, while searching for what man? Pancho Villa
4. What do Americans call the asterism that's known as the Plough in Britain? Big Dipper
5. What body of water is home to the Uros Indians, who live on 42 floating reed islands on its surface? Amazon River
6. Hollywood couple Xander Berkeley and Sarah Clarke met while he was playing her boss on what TV show? No idea. I have never heard of either of these actors.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and no others? Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France (six times), Greece (five times), Italy (13 times), Lebanon, Libya, Spain, Syria, Turkey (four times), and the U.K. (13 times)? The total is 61 times. If something began after WWII, it would have happened about 61 times. Note the absence of Germany and Russia. I am guessing this relates to some annual event.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. Who is the world's most famous user of the DECTalk DTC01 synthesizer? Stepen Hawking talks via one of these clunky old antiques, which is why he has an American accent even though he was born in Oxford. even if Peter Frampton used it, he is not as famous as Stephen Hawking
2. What major motion picture of 2007 held its premiere in, of all places, tiny Springfield, Vermont? The Simpsons Movie held a contest to see which of America's many Springfields would host the premiere. The tiny Vermont town edged out Springfield, Illinois for the honor. correct
3. What group took its name from the Al Aqsa Mosque, where it made its first headquarters in the 12th century? The Al Aqsa Mosque sits on Jerusalem's Temple Mount, and was the original hangout of the Knights Templar. what other 12th century groups do you know?
4. In 1986, who produced a short-lived MTV series called Fifteen Minutes? Yes, Andy Warhol used to be on MTV. On MTV, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes, except Matt Pinfield, who will be famous for 120 minutes. correct
5. Where, specifically, would you find Astroland, which was supposed to close last year but has recently reopened for one more summer? It's the famous old amusement park at Coney Island, now probably in its last months. no clues in the question that would have led me to that answer
6. What novel had its origins in The Harvest Gypsies, a series of articles printed in the San Francisco News in 1936? This is how John Steinbeck got interested in California's migrant-worker situation, which led to The Grapes of Wrath. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these rock albums? Am I Not Your Girl by Sinead O'Connor, Autoamerican by Blondie, Blue Valentine by Tom Waits, Congregation by the Afghan Whigs, I Am Gloria Gaynor, It's a Shame about Ray by the Lemonheads, With the Beatles, and A Wizard, a True Star by Todd Rundgren. Each of these albums has, as one of its tracks, a cover of a Broadway show tune. (In order: "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "Follow Me" from Camelot, "Somewhere," "The Temple" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "I Am What I Am" from La Cage Aux Folles, "Frank Mills" from Hair, "Till There Was You," and "Never Never Land" from Peter Pan. Phew.) I was definitely in the neighborhood.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
For Helga on her birthday
From Jim Murray,
From Lewis Carroll,
Alice's sister is dreaming of Alice
God loved Gerry. Everybody loved Gerry. She never went 40 seconds without smiling in her life. She smiled when she was dying. She smiled at life and all the people in it. When you thought of Gerry, you smiled.
She had these big gorgeous brown eyes and they were merry all the time and they looked at you with such trust and happiness. She never looked down or away. She never did anything to be ashamed of. Nothing. Never. She never did anything she didn't think God wanted her to do. She was in charge of smiling for Him.
From Lewis Carroll,
Alice's sister is dreaming of Alice
I am at peace that Helga is no longer here with us, but I still miss her.Lastly, she pictures to herself how this same little sister of hers would, in the after-time, be herself a grown woman; and how she would keep, through all her riper years, the simple and loving heart of her childhood; and how she would gather about her other little children, and make their eyes bright and eager with many a strange tale, perhaps even a dream of Wonderland of long ago; and how she would feel with all their simple joys, remembering her own child life, and the happy summer days.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - May 20
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. Who is the world's most famous user of the DECTalk DTC01 synthesizer? perhaps that is what Peter Frampton used on Frampton Comes Alive
2. What major motion picture of 2007 held its premiere in, of all places, tiny Springfield, Vermont? the Simpsons Movie of course
3. What group took its name from the Al Aqsa Mosque, where it made its first headquarters in the 12th century?
4. In 1986, who produced a short-lived MTV series called Fifteen Minutes? sounds like Andy Warhol
5. Where, specifically, would you find Astroland, which was supposed to close last year but has recently reopened for one more summer? sounds like Houston. But what if Astroland was in Beijing and wanted to stay open to take advantange of Olmypics tourism.
6. What novel had its origins in The Harvest Gypsies, a series of articles printed in the San Francisco News in 1936? The Grapes of Wrath
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these rock albums? Am I Not Your Girl by Sinead O'Connor, Autoamerican by Blondie, Blue Valentine by Tom Waits, Congregation by the Afghan Whigs, I Am Gloria Gaynor, It's a Shame about Ray by the Lemonheads, With the Beatles, and A Wizard, a True Star by Todd Rundgren. Initial research indicates that Rundgren and Blondie albums include spoken word poems. Tom Waits was a poet. I can picture Sinead O'Connor doing the same. Many also appear to cover songs from Broadway shows. That may be it. I see a lot of Lloyd Webber/Rice covers on these albums.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. If you are "balling the queen," where are you? It's not as lurid as it sounds, sadly. The answer is "in a beehive." "Balling the queen" is what worker bees do when they're mad as hell and don't want to take it any more: surround the old queen until she dies of overheating. My guess (on a cricket pitch) was somewhat off.
2. What 1838 novel was heavily revised by its author late in life, after he had befriended the Jewish couple that had bought his London home? This is how Charles Dickens came to remove the worst of the anti-Semitic stuff about Fagin in Oliver Twist. mostly correct. I could not recall Oliver Twist or Great Expectations.
3. Which event of tennis's Grand Slam is played on the slowest surface? Clay is the slowest, so this is the French Open. Did you assume grass was the slowest too, or was that just me? correct
4. How many lengthwise chocolate "fingers" is a regular Kit Kat bar divided into? Four fingers, just like Mickey Mouse. correct
5. What actor founded Happy Madison Productions to produce his movies? Adam Sandler, from the titles of his comedies Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison. correct
6. What former world leader's full name ended with "Tikriti," for his hometown? Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti, a native of Tikrit, Iraq. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these TV shows? All My Children, China Beach, The Drew Carey Show, Gimme a Break, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Laurie Hill, The Real Ghost Busters, and Strangers with Candy. All these shows featured early appearances by a recurring cast member who would go on to be a successful talk show host (respectively: Kelly Ripa, Rikki Lake, Craig Ferguson, Rosie O'Donnell, Tyra Banks, Ellen DeGeneres, Arsenio Hall, and Stephen Colbert). Next week's question will be about sitcoms featuring future UNsuccessful talk show hosts: Wheel of Fortune, Taxi, The Cosby Show, etc. correct
1. Who is the world's most famous user of the DECTalk DTC01 synthesizer? perhaps that is what Peter Frampton used on Frampton Comes Alive
2. What major motion picture of 2007 held its premiere in, of all places, tiny Springfield, Vermont? the Simpsons Movie of course
3. What group took its name from the Al Aqsa Mosque, where it made its first headquarters in the 12th century?
4. In 1986, who produced a short-lived MTV series called Fifteen Minutes? sounds like Andy Warhol
5. Where, specifically, would you find Astroland, which was supposed to close last year but has recently reopened for one more summer? sounds like Houston. But what if Astroland was in Beijing and wanted to stay open to take advantange of Olmypics tourism.
6. What novel had its origins in The Harvest Gypsies, a series of articles printed in the San Francisco News in 1936? The Grapes of Wrath
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these rock albums? Am I Not Your Girl by Sinead O'Connor, Autoamerican by Blondie, Blue Valentine by Tom Waits, Congregation by the Afghan Whigs, I Am Gloria Gaynor, It's a Shame about Ray by the Lemonheads, With the Beatles, and A Wizard, a True Star by Todd Rundgren. Initial research indicates that Rundgren and Blondie albums include spoken word poems. Tom Waits was a poet. I can picture Sinead O'Connor doing the same. Many also appear to cover songs from Broadway shows. That may be it. I see a lot of Lloyd Webber/Rice covers on these albums.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. If you are "balling the queen," where are you? It's not as lurid as it sounds, sadly. The answer is "in a beehive." "Balling the queen" is what worker bees do when they're mad as hell and don't want to take it any more: surround the old queen until she dies of overheating. My guess (on a cricket pitch) was somewhat off.
2. What 1838 novel was heavily revised by its author late in life, after he had befriended the Jewish couple that had bought his London home? This is how Charles Dickens came to remove the worst of the anti-Semitic stuff about Fagin in Oliver Twist. mostly correct. I could not recall Oliver Twist or Great Expectations.
3. Which event of tennis's Grand Slam is played on the slowest surface? Clay is the slowest, so this is the French Open. Did you assume grass was the slowest too, or was that just me? correct
4. How many lengthwise chocolate "fingers" is a regular Kit Kat bar divided into? Four fingers, just like Mickey Mouse. correct
5. What actor founded Happy Madison Productions to produce his movies? Adam Sandler, from the titles of his comedies Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison. correct
6. What former world leader's full name ended with "Tikriti," for his hometown? Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti, a native of Tikrit, Iraq. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these TV shows? All My Children, China Beach, The Drew Carey Show, Gimme a Break, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Laurie Hill, The Real Ghost Busters, and Strangers with Candy. All these shows featured early appearances by a recurring cast member who would go on to be a successful talk show host (respectively: Kelly Ripa, Rikki Lake, Craig Ferguson, Rosie O'Donnell, Tyra Banks, Ellen DeGeneres, Arsenio Hall, and Stephen Colbert). Next week's question will be about sitcoms featuring future UNsuccessful talk show hosts: Wheel of Fortune, Taxi, The Cosby Show, etc. correct
Monday, May 19, 2008
Leukos
Interesting word etymology - Leukemia comes from the Greek word leukos.
Definition of leukos: light, bright, brilliant from whiteness (dazzling)
1. white of the garments of angels, and of those exalted to the splendour of the heavenly state
2. shining or white garments worn on festive or state occasions
3. of white garments as the sign of innocence and purity of the soul
Fortunately, since Mom is in remission she is moving further away from the white pure light and the angels visits. They can wait - she's not coming anytime soon.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - May 13
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. If you are "balling the queen," where are you? sounds like a cricket term. I will guess on a cricket pitch.
2. What 1838 novel was heavily revised by its author late in life, after he had befriended the Jewish couple that had bought his London home? Definitely sounds like Dickens. Which of his novels had the character Fagin whom I think was Jewish? Great Expectations? Oliver Twist?
3. Which event of tennis's Grand Slam is played on the slowest surface? the clay of Roland Garros. The French Open
4. How many lengthwise chocolate "fingers" is a regular Kit Kat bar divided into? four, I believe
5. What actor founded Happy Madison Productions to produce his movies? has to be Adam Sandler for Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison
6. What former world leader's full name ended with "Tikriti," for his hometown? Saddam Hussein
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these TV shows? All My Children, China Beach, The Drew Carey Show, Gimme a Break, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Laurie Hill, The Real Ghost Busters, and Strangers with Candy. I did some research (that is allowed for Q7, isn't it?) and learned that each of these shows starred someone who went on to host a talk show. China Beach - Ricki Lake. Drew Carey - Craig Ferguson. Strangers With Candy - Stephen Colbert. Laurie Hill - Ellen Degeneres. Gimme A Break - Rose O'Donnell. Real Ghost Busters - Arsenio Hall. That's enough to convince me of the answer.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What was the only Billboard #1 single for the Beatles not written by Lennon-McCartney? "Something," off Abbey Road, was the first of four George Harrison songs to hit #1 in the U.S. during his long career. correct
2. A bear, a dragon, a rabbit, and a tiger have appeared in the titles of the last three novels by what best-selling author? The Bear and the Dragon, Red Rabbit, and The Teeth of the Tiger are the last three books by Tom Clancy...who actually hasn't published a novel since 2003. why ask a question about a writer who has been off everyone's radar screen for five years?
3. 96-year-old Milvina Dean, of (appropriately) Southampton, England, is the last living person to have done what? She survived the sinking of the Titanic--at the age of just two months old. correct
4. What sports legend defeated his own uncle in a November 1938 showdown billed as "the Match of the Century"? Seabiscuit...War Admiral was actually his uncle. Is that factoid in the movie? Probably, but I didn't remember it. I never knew that the two were related.
5. Movie fans shouldn't be surprised to find that the "C." in George C. Scott's name stands for what? Leading man Campbell Scott is named for his dad, George C(ampbell) Scott. Campbell Scott is George C's son? Never knew that either. I really don't see the resemblance. Campbell does not look like he is related to Seabiscuit either.
6. What English phrase meaning "to do everything possible" is a metaphor from the world of pipe organ playing? Organ players would literally "pull out all the stops" to play at top volume.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and no others? Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, East Timor, Egypt, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, the U.S., and the USSR? These nations have all been led by (past, present, or future) winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. The full list of nations that have produced Peace Prize winners would be a lot longer--notably missing here is Mother Teresa's Albania, for example, or the Dalai Lama's India or China. I said "all winners of the Nobel Peace prize are from these countries." That is pretty close in my book.
1. If you are "balling the queen," where are you? sounds like a cricket term. I will guess on a cricket pitch.
2. What 1838 novel was heavily revised by its author late in life, after he had befriended the Jewish couple that had bought his London home? Definitely sounds like Dickens. Which of his novels had the character Fagin whom I think was Jewish? Great Expectations? Oliver Twist?
3. Which event of tennis's Grand Slam is played on the slowest surface? the clay of Roland Garros. The French Open
4. How many lengthwise chocolate "fingers" is a regular Kit Kat bar divided into? four, I believe
5. What actor founded Happy Madison Productions to produce his movies? has to be Adam Sandler for Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison
6. What former world leader's full name ended with "Tikriti," for his hometown? Saddam Hussein
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these TV shows? All My Children, China Beach, The Drew Carey Show, Gimme a Break, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Laurie Hill, The Real Ghost Busters, and Strangers with Candy. I did some research (that is allowed for Q7, isn't it?) and learned that each of these shows starred someone who went on to host a talk show. China Beach - Ricki Lake. Drew Carey - Craig Ferguson. Strangers With Candy - Stephen Colbert. Laurie Hill - Ellen Degeneres. Gimme A Break - Rose O'Donnell. Real Ghost Busters - Arsenio Hall. That's enough to convince me of the answer.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What was the only Billboard #1 single for the Beatles not written by Lennon-McCartney? "Something," off Abbey Road, was the first of four George Harrison songs to hit #1 in the U.S. during his long career. correct
2. A bear, a dragon, a rabbit, and a tiger have appeared in the titles of the last three novels by what best-selling author? The Bear and the Dragon, Red Rabbit, and The Teeth of the Tiger are the last three books by Tom Clancy...who actually hasn't published a novel since 2003. why ask a question about a writer who has been off everyone's radar screen for five years?
3. 96-year-old Milvina Dean, of (appropriately) Southampton, England, is the last living person to have done what? She survived the sinking of the Titanic--at the age of just two months old. correct
4. What sports legend defeated his own uncle in a November 1938 showdown billed as "the Match of the Century"? Seabiscuit...War Admiral was actually his uncle. Is that factoid in the movie? Probably, but I didn't remember it. I never knew that the two were related.
5. Movie fans shouldn't be surprised to find that the "C." in George C. Scott's name stands for what? Leading man Campbell Scott is named for his dad, George C(ampbell) Scott. Campbell Scott is George C's son? Never knew that either. I really don't see the resemblance. Campbell does not look like he is related to Seabiscuit either.
6. What English phrase meaning "to do everything possible" is a metaphor from the world of pipe organ playing? Organ players would literally "pull out all the stops" to play at top volume.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and no others? Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, East Timor, Egypt, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, the U.S., and the USSR? These nations have all been led by (past, present, or future) winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. The full list of nations that have produced Peace Prize winners would be a lot longer--notably missing here is Mother Teresa's Albania, for example, or the Dalai Lama's India or China. I said "all winners of the Nobel Peace prize are from these countries." That is pretty close in my book.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Aunt Betsy's letter to me, June 17, 1961
I was home in Bartlesville a month ago and Mom pulled out an envelope of things from my early years that she wanted me to have. Baby books. Report cards and papers she saved. Pictures. And several letters. One from Grandpa to Mom when I was born. One from Grandpa to Dad.
And the following letter from my dear, wonderful Aunt Betsy (then in college) to Baby May. It is now one of my most treasured memories.
And the following letter from my dear, wonderful Aunt Betsy (then in college) to Baby May. It is now one of my most treasured memories.
In case no one has told you you're a boy and that means a special ceremony at your birth. I wished to write this in poetry, but I'm not the proper poet to tell you some of the things you're in for.
Your folks and grandfolks will probably laugh at your young Aunt Betts for writing to you in honor of this special day. You see I'm not the most Jewish of girls. But I thought that now is the proper time to let you in on a few of the experiences you will be having from now on. No one told me and I must say that although I love surprises I never expected life to be what it is. I know that the orientation of the angels seemed pretty complete but honestly, they leave out so much. You remember what they told you at language camp. Well forget it. People will think you're much more intelligent if your first word is in French or Italian. The French babies are really smart. Too bad you didn't get a chance to really meet them. Well anyway, when you first begin walking wait til there is a big crowd of people. Make kind of a big production of it. Parents get terribly excited about that first step.
When you advance in years, skin those knees. Play hard and always be a good guy with a hint of mischief. Girls go crazy over a guy like that. Believe me, cause I'm a girl.
When your folks start spelling or talking in pig latin, don't let on that you know exactly what they're saying. More fun that way.
When you get to school, be sure to get into activities but study hard. Don't be bothered with a lot of petty nonsense about how all round guy does everything. Just have a good sense of humor, be a good sportsman, be a semi-scholar, be suave and debonair, be patient with your parents when they appear backward (I don't think they will too much). You know - just be one of those ordinary outstanding Bartlesville Mays. Take after your Dad and your Mom and you've got it made.
Maybe I'm telling you too much. You should have a few surprises left though. Like someone sticking you with a pin at diaper changing time. The angels forgot that one, didn't they. Well see ya around the campus old man.
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - May 6
THIS WEEK'S QUIZ
1. What was the only Billboard #1 single for the Beatles not written by Lennon-McCartney? Something by George Harrison
2. A bear, a dragon, a rabbit, and a tiger have appeared in the titles of the last three novels by what best-selling author? John Irving likes bears. John Updike likes rabbits or at least a character named Rabbit.
3. 96-year-old Milvina Dean, of (appropriately) Southampton, England, is the last living person to have done what? survived the sinking of the Titanic (which sailed from Southampton)
4. What sports legend defeated his own uncle in a November 1938 showdown billed as "the Match of the Century"? Match of the Century in 1938 sounds like Joe Louis. Could have been tennis - Bill Tilden. Don't think it was golf.
5. Movie fans shouldn't be surprised to find that the "C." in George C. Scott's name stands for what? probably the name of a general. Custer, Cornwall.
6. What English phrase meaning "to do everything possible" is a metaphor from the world of pipe organ playing?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and no others? Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, East Timor, Egypt, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, the U.S., and the USSR? East Timor is a hint. I suspect that all winners of the Nobel Peace prize are from these countries
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What Cincinnati rabbi opened his first matzo bakery in 1888, though his company didn't own a vineyard until the 1940s? Rabbi Dov Behr Manischewitz would probably be surprised today to find his name so closely associated with sweet, sweet kosher wine. I guess I think of Baron Herzog first when I think of wine, not Manischewitz.
2. If you find yourself in "gen pop," where are you? In jail--"general population." Thanks, Oz! a question about lingo from a show on a premium cable channel is not a good question
3. The specialized neurons in what part of your body come in two distinct types: cylindrical and flask-shaped? I was maybe being a little too cagey here--these neurons are the "rods" and "cones" of your eye.
4. What longtime PBS hit is currently hosted by The X-Files's Gillian Anderson? Gillian Anderson is hosting Masterpiece (formerly Masterpiece Theater) now. Did you all know this? Nobody told me. Aargh. I guessed the wrong show. For some reason, Russell Baker stopped hosting Masterpiece Theater in 2004.
5. In 1959, a British engineer led Jumbo from Montmelian, France, to her home at the Turin zoo, in an attempt to recreate the historical route taken by whom? Hannibal, and his amazing Alp-crossing elephants. correct
6. What body of water does the Jordan River end by flowing into? The Jordan River feeds the Dead Sea. I guessed the wrong sea
7. Based on the unusual distinction they share, who's the only U.S. president who could be added to this list--and why? Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, Mel Gibson, James Joyce, Lisa Kudrow, Justin Morneau, Samuel Morse, and James Whistler? All these people have or had two middle names, so George Herbert Walker Bush is the right answer. It's true that Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill was *born* with one middle name and a hyphenated last name, but as a young man, he decided to ditch the hyphen (the old "reverse Daniel Day-Lewis") and treat Spencer as a second middle name. correct
1. What was the only Billboard #1 single for the Beatles not written by Lennon-McCartney? Something by George Harrison
2. A bear, a dragon, a rabbit, and a tiger have appeared in the titles of the last three novels by what best-selling author? John Irving likes bears. John Updike likes rabbits or at least a character named Rabbit.
3. 96-year-old Milvina Dean, of (appropriately) Southampton, England, is the last living person to have done what? survived the sinking of the Titanic (which sailed from Southampton)
4. What sports legend defeated his own uncle in a November 1938 showdown billed as "the Match of the Century"? Match of the Century in 1938 sounds like Joe Louis. Could have been tennis - Bill Tilden. Don't think it was golf.
5. Movie fans shouldn't be surprised to find that the "C." in George C. Scott's name stands for what? probably the name of a general. Custer, Cornwall.
6. What English phrase meaning "to do everything possible" is a metaphor from the world of pipe organ playing?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these countries, and no others? Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, East Timor, Egypt, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, the U.S., and the USSR? East Timor is a hint. I suspect that all winners of the Nobel Peace prize are from these countries
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What Cincinnati rabbi opened his first matzo bakery in 1888, though his company didn't own a vineyard until the 1940s? Rabbi Dov Behr Manischewitz would probably be surprised today to find his name so closely associated with sweet, sweet kosher wine. I guess I think of Baron Herzog first when I think of wine, not Manischewitz.
2. If you find yourself in "gen pop," where are you? In jail--"general population." Thanks, Oz! a question about lingo from a show on a premium cable channel is not a good question
3. The specialized neurons in what part of your body come in two distinct types: cylindrical and flask-shaped? I was maybe being a little too cagey here--these neurons are the "rods" and "cones" of your eye.
4. What longtime PBS hit is currently hosted by The X-Files's Gillian Anderson? Gillian Anderson is hosting Masterpiece (formerly Masterpiece Theater) now. Did you all know this? Nobody told me. Aargh. I guessed the wrong show. For some reason, Russell Baker stopped hosting Masterpiece Theater in 2004.
5. In 1959, a British engineer led Jumbo from Montmelian, France, to her home at the Turin zoo, in an attempt to recreate the historical route taken by whom? Hannibal, and his amazing Alp-crossing elephants. correct
6. What body of water does the Jordan River end by flowing into? The Jordan River feeds the Dead Sea. I guessed the wrong sea
7. Based on the unusual distinction they share, who's the only U.S. president who could be added to this list--and why? Winston Churchill, Charles Dickens, Mel Gibson, James Joyce, Lisa Kudrow, Justin Morneau, Samuel Morse, and James Whistler? All these people have or had two middle names, so George Herbert Walker Bush is the right answer. It's true that Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill was *born* with one middle name and a hyphenated last name, but as a young man, he decided to ditch the hyphen (the old "reverse Daniel Day-Lewis") and treat Spencer as a second middle name. correct
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Fossilized dinosaur dung goes for big money at auction
As a result of playing the quiz, I know a scientific name for fossilized crap - coprolite.
Some coprolite just sold for almost $1000 at auction. According to the media reports, "It has lost any original odor."
Dinosaur dung sells at NYC auction for nearly $1,000>
Some coprolite just sold for almost $1000 at auction. According to the media reports, "It has lost any original odor."
Dinosaur dung sells at NYC auction for nearly $1,000>
Saturday, May 03, 2008
April Fools from Google
I am way behind in learning these things, but Google has been spoofing cyberspace on April Fools Day for many years now. I was just directed to this "new offering" from Google - Toilet Internet Service Provider (TISP) - High speed internet service through your toilet
Make sure to read the FAQs too. Very amusing.
Make sure to read the FAQs too. Very amusing.
