Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - October 28
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. Which Muppet has a wife named Astoria? the logical choice is Waldorf
2. A community at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, is today home to the last remaining members of what group? sounds like a simple living religious group like the Amish.
3. What did TV Guide magazine do on October 17, 2005 that Rolling Stone later did on October 30, 2008? changed its size to match the standard of other magazines. I think TV Guide grew while Rolling Stone shrank.
4. What number followed the name of all of the spacecraft capsules flown by the Mercury astronauts? there were 7 Mercury astronauts. Was it Mercury 7?
5. What famous woman is the sister of Oregon State basketball coach Craig Robinson? Michelle Robinson Obama
6. Pashmina wool comes from a breed of what animal? isn't it from an angora goat?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these celebrities? Sarah Ferguson, Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford, Arnold Palmer, Ron Paul, John Travolta, Chuck Woolery, Steve Wozniak. The key here for me is Arnold Palmer. I tested various things I knew about him until one stuck - airplane pilot. They are all licensed pilots. See this link.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The Saffir-Simpson scale assigns the traditional five categories to what? Thanks to Mr. Saffir, an engineer, and Mr. Simpson, a meteorologist, hurricanes are now "Category 1" to "Category 5." correct
2. British king George I, as well as most of the Plantagenets, including Richard the Lionheart, were notable for not being able to do what? Speak English! George I was a German import, like Beck's. The Plantagenets (with exceptions, like Henry I) were only fluent in French and occasionally Latin. Mon dieu!
3. The title of the Mark David Chapman film Chapter 27 refers to an imaginary final chapter of what novel? The Catcher in the Rye, the novel that Chapman was famously carrying when he shot John Lennon. I did not know this footnote to rock and roll history.
4. Who is on pace to become the world's first billionaire athlete by 2010? Tiger Woods--and that's a billion in earnings *only*, so you don't have to worry about what the crappy market is doing to Tiger's 401(k) and, therefore, Forbes's projection. correct
5. Artists traditionally orient their studios so that windows and skylights face which direction? Artists need plentiful indirect light that doesn't change during the day, so they use a northern light source when they can. A few people pointed out that this is true in the Northern Hemisphere only; I figured the word "traditionally" takes care of that, since the fine-arts tradition in the Northern Hemisphere is centuries older than it is Down Under. Quick, name one world-famous Southern Hemisphere painter! Half credit if you said "That guy that was always painting Elle MacPherson naked in the movie Sirens." traditionally not a great question
6. What singer claims that she took her stage name as a salute to Steve Buscemi's performance in Reservoir Dogs? Pink sometimes tells interviewers she's named for "Mr. Pink" in the Tarantino film. Sometimes she also tells a more, uh, graphic story.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states, and no others? Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North and South Dakota, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and sort of Oregon? As I write this, I'm actually a little doubtful that anyone's going to get this one right, even with the hints I added ("sort of" Oregon, all the two-word states but Rhode Island represented). These are the states that have different names (differently spelled, anyway) in Spanish. I noticed this while looking at a bilingual map on a recent plane flight, thought it might make a good question. Well, maybe not. What about Texas and Tejas?
1. Which Muppet has a wife named Astoria? the logical choice is Waldorf
2. A community at Sabbathday Lake, Maine, is today home to the last remaining members of what group? sounds like a simple living religious group like the Amish.
3. What did TV Guide magazine do on October 17, 2005 that Rolling Stone later did on October 30, 2008? changed its size to match the standard of other magazines. I think TV Guide grew while Rolling Stone shrank.
4. What number followed the name of all of the spacecraft capsules flown by the Mercury astronauts? there were 7 Mercury astronauts. Was it Mercury 7?
5. What famous woman is the sister of Oregon State basketball coach Craig Robinson? Michelle Robinson Obama
6. Pashmina wool comes from a breed of what animal? isn't it from an angora goat?
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these celebrities? Sarah Ferguson, Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford, Arnold Palmer, Ron Paul, John Travolta, Chuck Woolery, Steve Wozniak. The key here for me is Arnold Palmer. I tested various things I knew about him until one stuck - airplane pilot. They are all licensed pilots. See this link.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. The Saffir-Simpson scale assigns the traditional five categories to what? Thanks to Mr. Saffir, an engineer, and Mr. Simpson, a meteorologist, hurricanes are now "Category 1" to "Category 5." correct
2. British king George I, as well as most of the Plantagenets, including Richard the Lionheart, were notable for not being able to do what? Speak English! George I was a German import, like Beck's. The Plantagenets (with exceptions, like Henry I) were only fluent in French and occasionally Latin. Mon dieu!
3. The title of the Mark David Chapman film Chapter 27 refers to an imaginary final chapter of what novel? The Catcher in the Rye, the novel that Chapman was famously carrying when he shot John Lennon. I did not know this footnote to rock and roll history.
4. Who is on pace to become the world's first billionaire athlete by 2010? Tiger Woods--and that's a billion in earnings *only*, so you don't have to worry about what the crappy market is doing to Tiger's 401(k) and, therefore, Forbes's projection. correct
5. Artists traditionally orient their studios so that windows and skylights face which direction? Artists need plentiful indirect light that doesn't change during the day, so they use a northern light source when they can. A few people pointed out that this is true in the Northern Hemisphere only; I figured the word "traditionally" takes care of that, since the fine-arts tradition in the Northern Hemisphere is centuries older than it is Down Under. Quick, name one world-famous Southern Hemisphere painter! Half credit if you said "That guy that was always painting Elle MacPherson naked in the movie Sirens." traditionally not a great question
6. What singer claims that she took her stage name as a salute to Steve Buscemi's performance in Reservoir Dogs? Pink sometimes tells interviewers she's named for "Mr. Pink" in the Tarantino film. Sometimes she also tells a more, uh, graphic story.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states, and no others? Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North and South Dakota, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and sort of Oregon? As I write this, I'm actually a little doubtful that anyone's going to get this one right, even with the hints I added ("sort of" Oregon, all the two-word states but Rhode Island represented). These are the states that have different names (differently spelled, anyway) in Spanish. I noticed this while looking at a bilingual map on a recent plane flight, thought it might make a good question. Well, maybe not. What about Texas and Tejas?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Cougars on the prowl
Cougars are older women (especially women in their 40s and 50s) who are looking for younger men. I have heard the term in the context of an SNL skit (see here for script) and on some reality shows like Real Women of {fill in the city}. Think of Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.
Now I see a that a dating service in LA is offering cougars a chance to bag captive prey.
dateanddash.com is hosting a speed date evening with men from 21-33 and women from 35-45. "They say women are like wine - just get better with time. Guys, if you are looking for an older, sophisticated woman, ladies, if you are looking for a younger, energetic man - this event is for you."
Now I see a that a dating service in LA is offering cougars a chance to bag captive prey.
dateanddash.com is hosting a speed date evening with men from 21-33 and women from 35-45. "They say women are like wine - just get better with time. Guys, if you are looking for an older, sophisticated woman, ladies, if you are looking for a younger, energetic man - this event is for you."
Monday, October 20, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - October 21
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. The Saffir-Simpson scale assigns the traditional five categories to what? hurricanes
2. British king George I, as well as most of the Plantagenets, including Richard the Lionheart, were notable for not being able to do what? work a tv remote control. Seriously, it must have something to do with passing on their legacy.
3. The title of the Mark David Chapman film Chapter 27 refers to an imaginary final chapter of what novel? Mark Chapman shot John Lennon. But what novel is associated with that event?
4. Who is on pace to become the world's first billionaire athlete by 2010? Eldrick "Tiger" Woods
5. Artists traditionally orient their studios so that windows and skylights face which direction?
6. What singer claims that she took her stage name as a salute to Steve Buscemi's performance in Reservoir Dogs? all of the characters in Reservoir Dogs have names like Mr. Brown, Mr. White, etc. Hmmm.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states, and no others? Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North and South Dakota, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and sort of Oregon?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What item are there two of in British cricket and six of in American croquet? Wickets. correct
2. Name two of the four "majority-minority" U.S. states--states in which less than half the population is non-Hispanic white. Hawaii, of course, has never been majority-white. California, New Mexico, and Texas are the other three. aargh. I thought Arizona, but it is NewMexico.
3. Despite their names, Daniel Florence O'Leary and Bernardo O'Higgins are heroes on what continent? Both were among the military liberators of South America. Many Irish veterans of the Napoleonic Wars joined South American armies when peace came to Europe in the early 19th century. who knew?
4. What TV host gives out the annual "Fierce Awards"? Tyra Banks is the "fierce" media empire-builder in question. A lucky guess.
5. How many Bennet sisters are there in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? Five: to quote Jane Austen, "the hot one, the princess, the nerd, the sidekick, and the slut." Or was that The Breakfast Club? I always get those confused. An incorrect guess.
6. The most famous tree in California's White Mountains bristlecone pine forest is named for what biblical figure? These bristlecones are the world's oldest living things; this particular 4,800-year-old tree is therefore called "Methuselah" correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these performers? Phil Hartman, Don Knotts, Roddy McDowall, Zero Mostel, Paul Newman, John Ritter, Jimmy Stewart, Orson Welles. The final movie role of all these late stars was a voice performance in an animated film. RIP Paul Newman. Jimmy Stewart, Zero Mostel, John Ritter - those notable voice actors.
1. The Saffir-Simpson scale assigns the traditional five categories to what? hurricanes
2. British king George I, as well as most of the Plantagenets, including Richard the Lionheart, were notable for not being able to do what? work a tv remote control. Seriously, it must have something to do with passing on their legacy.
3. The title of the Mark David Chapman film Chapter 27 refers to an imaginary final chapter of what novel? Mark Chapman shot John Lennon. But what novel is associated with that event?
4. Who is on pace to become the world's first billionaire athlete by 2010? Eldrick "Tiger" Woods
5. Artists traditionally orient their studios so that windows and skylights face which direction?
6. What singer claims that she took her stage name as a salute to Steve Buscemi's performance in Reservoir Dogs? all of the characters in Reservoir Dogs have names like Mr. Brown, Mr. White, etc. Hmmm.
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states, and no others? Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North and South Dakota, North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and sort of Oregon?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What item are there two of in British cricket and six of in American croquet? Wickets. correct
2. Name two of the four "majority-minority" U.S. states--states in which less than half the population is non-Hispanic white. Hawaii, of course, has never been majority-white. California, New Mexico, and Texas are the other three. aargh. I thought Arizona, but it is NewMexico.
3. Despite their names, Daniel Florence O'Leary and Bernardo O'Higgins are heroes on what continent? Both were among the military liberators of South America. Many Irish veterans of the Napoleonic Wars joined South American armies when peace came to Europe in the early 19th century. who knew?
4. What TV host gives out the annual "Fierce Awards"? Tyra Banks is the "fierce" media empire-builder in question. A lucky guess.
5. How many Bennet sisters are there in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? Five: to quote Jane Austen, "the hot one, the princess, the nerd, the sidekick, and the slut." Or was that The Breakfast Club? I always get those confused. An incorrect guess.
6. The most famous tree in California's White Mountains bristlecone pine forest is named for what biblical figure? These bristlecones are the world's oldest living things; this particular 4,800-year-old tree is therefore called "Methuselah" correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these performers? Phil Hartman, Don Knotts, Roddy McDowall, Zero Mostel, Paul Newman, John Ritter, Jimmy Stewart, Orson Welles. The final movie role of all these late stars was a voice performance in an animated film. RIP Paul Newman. Jimmy Stewart, Zero Mostel, John Ritter - those notable voice actors.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - October 14
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What item are there two of in British cricket and six of in American croquet? wickets
2. Name two of the four "majority-minority" U.S. states--states in which less than half the population is non-Hispanic white. California, Arizona. I guess the other two would be Hawaii and New Mexico.
3. Despite their names, Daniel Florence O'Leary and Bernardo O'Higgins are heroes on what continent? a limited number of choices available. Probably not Europe given the wording of the question. North America seems too obvious. That leaves Africa, Asia, South America and Australia. Are they South African rugby players? Australian cricketers? I will guess Australia since I don't know if a South African rugby player is a continental hero.
4. What TV host gives out the annual "Fierce Awards"? Is this something from Animal Planet? Do they have a reality show? I'll guess the only reality show host I know on basic cable - Tyra Banks. I am monitoring the America's Next Top Model program because a Reading to Kids volunteer is competing. Go Analeigh!
5. How many Bennet sisters are there in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? No idea. But I can guess. Three.
6. The most famous tree in California's White Mountains bristlecone pine forest is named for what biblical figure? Methuselah
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these performers? Phil Hartman, Don Knotts, Roddy McDowall, Zero Mostel, Paul Newman, John Ritter, Jimmy Stewart, Orson Welles. They are all dead. Maybe that is not unusual enough. Something about their deaths?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What is the martingale system used for? Gambling--assuming you want to lose badly. The martingale is the age-old system of doubling your bet each time you lose in hopes of earning back your losses. Betting limits at modern casinos make it unworkable. never heard this one before
2. According to most Hindu art, what color is the skin of the god Vishnu? Vishnu is "new-cloud-like-blue" but we accepted just "blue." Also: he has four arms! correct
3. What Best Picture-winning film bears a dedication in its closing credits to Sergio Leone and Don Siegel? Hopefully Sergio Leone reminded you of "spaghetti westerns" and Don Siegel reminded you of Dirty Harry. The answer is the Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven. correct
4. What Internet verb meaning "to fraudulently solicit personal information" also names a recently reunited rock band? Phish! What's worse, cybercrime or a jam band? You make the call. correct
5. What common household alloy must contain, by law, at least 11.5% chromium? Chromium is what makes stainless steel stainless. why is stainless steel a household alloy?
6. The French call it Lac Leman, and it makes up about 50 miles of the French border. But what's it more commonly called across the border? Lac Leman is known in the rest of the world as Lake Geneva. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states--in this order--and no others? California, Kansas, Maine, Washington. These are the only four states that have been represented by an all-female Senate delegation: two woman senators seated at the same time. No chance for a fifth state to join the list this November either.
1. What item are there two of in British cricket and six of in American croquet? wickets
2. Name two of the four "majority-minority" U.S. states--states in which less than half the population is non-Hispanic white. California, Arizona. I guess the other two would be Hawaii and New Mexico.
3. Despite their names, Daniel Florence O'Leary and Bernardo O'Higgins are heroes on what continent? a limited number of choices available. Probably not Europe given the wording of the question. North America seems too obvious. That leaves Africa, Asia, South America and Australia. Are they South African rugby players? Australian cricketers? I will guess Australia since I don't know if a South African rugby player is a continental hero.
4. What TV host gives out the annual "Fierce Awards"? Is this something from Animal Planet? Do they have a reality show? I'll guess the only reality show host I know on basic cable - Tyra Banks. I am monitoring the America's Next Top Model program because a Reading to Kids volunteer is competing. Go Analeigh!
5. How many Bennet sisters are there in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice? No idea. But I can guess. Three.
6. The most famous tree in California's White Mountains bristlecone pine forest is named for what biblical figure? Methuselah
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these performers? Phil Hartman, Don Knotts, Roddy McDowall, Zero Mostel, Paul Newman, John Ritter, Jimmy Stewart, Orson Welles. They are all dead. Maybe that is not unusual enough. Something about their deaths?
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. What is the martingale system used for? Gambling--assuming you want to lose badly. The martingale is the age-old system of doubling your bet each time you lose in hopes of earning back your losses. Betting limits at modern casinos make it unworkable. never heard this one before
2. According to most Hindu art, what color is the skin of the god Vishnu? Vishnu is "new-cloud-like-blue" but we accepted just "blue." Also: he has four arms! correct
3. What Best Picture-winning film bears a dedication in its closing credits to Sergio Leone and Don Siegel? Hopefully Sergio Leone reminded you of "spaghetti westerns" and Don Siegel reminded you of Dirty Harry. The answer is the Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven. correct
4. What Internet verb meaning "to fraudulently solicit personal information" also names a recently reunited rock band? Phish! What's worse, cybercrime or a jam band? You make the call. correct
5. What common household alloy must contain, by law, at least 11.5% chromium? Chromium is what makes stainless steel stainless. why is stainless steel a household alloy?
6. The French call it Lac Leman, and it makes up about 50 miles of the French border. But what's it more commonly called across the border? Lac Leman is known in the rest of the world as Lake Geneva. correct
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states--in this order--and no others? California, Kansas, Maine, Washington. These are the only four states that have been represented by an all-female Senate delegation: two woman senators seated at the same time. No chance for a fifth state to join the list this November either.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Ken Jennings Tuesday Trivia - October 8
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS
1. What is the martingale system used for? not nightingale. not martinizing. martingale. measuring the cleanliness of songbirds?
2. According to most Hindu art, what color is the skin of the god Vishnu? blue
3. What Best Picture-winning film bears a dedication in its closing credits to Sergio Leone and Don Siegel? I don't know Don Siegel, but Clint Eastwood did movies for Leone. I guess Unforgiven.
4. What Internet verb meaning "to fraudulently solicit personal information" also names a recently reunited rock band? Phish
5. What common household alloy must contain, by law, at least 11.5% chromium? household alloy? I don't want alloys in my house! Perhaps sterling silver?
6. The French call it Lac Leman, and it makes up about 50 miles of the French border. But what's it more commonly called across the border? Lake Geneva
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states--in this order--and no others? California, Kansas, Maine, Washington.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. When police practice the science of dactyloscopy, what are they doing? Identifying fingerprints. correct
2. Other than (duh) Australia, what's the only continent with no land-locked countries? The intended answer was North America, but we had to accept Antarctica as well when I realized I hadn't phrased the question narrowly enough for smart-alecks. correct
3. What common beverage did Julius Freed begin selling above a New York pool hall in 1926? Orange juice--he called his stand "Orange Julius." There may be a factual error in this question, but I'm not 100% sure. Different pages on the official Orange Julius website give the location of Freed's first stand as, variously, New York and L.A. I did not say orange juice, but I think I was close enough
4. Name one of the three Division I college football teams that are exempted from NCAA rules limiting the number of full scholarships athletes can receive. At U.S. service academies, *everyone* is on full scholarship, so Army, Navy, and Air Force are all exempt. correct
5. Who originally held the jobs now filled by Ben Lyons and Ben Manciewicz? They're the hosts on the new, terrible version of At the Movies. The two Bens are unfit even to carry the thumb-rests of original hosts Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. correct. I don't agree that the new At the Movies is terrible, but it's nothing special. Sorry, Ben.
6. What shape is each cell in a honeybees' comb? A hexagon (in cross-section, anyway). missed it by a hexa vs. an octa
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these famous folks? Mathew Brady, Al Capp, Antoni Gaudi, Samuel Gompers, Frida Kahlo, Theodore Roosevelt, Edward Teller, Kurt Waldheim. Apparently not as hard as billed: they all suffered streetcar accidents. Gaudi and Brady were killed by theirs; Teller and Capp just had amputations. Frida's bus-streetcar collision caused the injuries that plagued her for the rest of her life, and Teddy Roosevelt might have been killed--in office!--by his accident if a second medical opinion hadn't been sought.
1. What is the martingale system used for? not nightingale. not martinizing. martingale. measuring the cleanliness of songbirds?
2. According to most Hindu art, what color is the skin of the god Vishnu? blue
3. What Best Picture-winning film bears a dedication in its closing credits to Sergio Leone and Don Siegel? I don't know Don Siegel, but Clint Eastwood did movies for Leone. I guess Unforgiven.
4. What Internet verb meaning "to fraudulently solicit personal information" also names a recently reunited rock band? Phish
5. What common household alloy must contain, by law, at least 11.5% chromium? household alloy? I don't want alloys in my house! Perhaps sterling silver?
6. The French call it Lac Leman, and it makes up about 50 miles of the French border. But what's it more commonly called across the border? Lake Geneva
7. What unusual distinction is shared by these U.S. states--in this order--and no others? California, Kansas, Maine, Washington.
LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS
1. When police practice the science of dactyloscopy, what are they doing? Identifying fingerprints. correct
2. Other than (duh) Australia, what's the only continent with no land-locked countries? The intended answer was North America, but we had to accept Antarctica as well when I realized I hadn't phrased the question narrowly enough for smart-alecks. correct
3. What common beverage did Julius Freed begin selling above a New York pool hall in 1926? Orange juice--he called his stand "Orange Julius." There may be a factual error in this question, but I'm not 100% sure. Different pages on the official Orange Julius website give the location of Freed's first stand as, variously, New York and L.A. I did not say orange juice, but I think I was close enough
4. Name one of the three Division I college football teams that are exempted from NCAA rules limiting the number of full scholarships athletes can receive. At U.S. service academies, *everyone* is on full scholarship, so Army, Navy, and Air Force are all exempt. correct
5. Who originally held the jobs now filled by Ben Lyons and Ben Manciewicz? They're the hosts on the new, terrible version of At the Movies. The two Bens are unfit even to carry the thumb-rests of original hosts Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. correct. I don't agree that the new At the Movies is terrible, but it's nothing special. Sorry, Ben.
6. What shape is each cell in a honeybees' comb? A hexagon (in cross-section, anyway). missed it by a hexa vs. an octa
7. What unusual distinction is shared by all these famous folks? Mathew Brady, Al Capp, Antoni Gaudi, Samuel Gompers, Frida Kahlo, Theodore Roosevelt, Edward Teller, Kurt Waldheim. Apparently not as hard as billed: they all suffered streetcar accidents. Gaudi and Brady were killed by theirs; Teller and Capp just had amputations. Frida's bus-streetcar collision caused the injuries that plagued her for the rest of her life, and Teddy Roosevelt might have been killed--in office!--by his accident if a second medical opinion hadn't been sought.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Soup Kitchens are a great investment
Thanks to Googy's quiz last night, I now know a wonderful fact about this past Monday's stock market plunge - of the stocks in the S&P 500, 499 dropped. Only one went up. Campbell's Soup
