Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Next Drink'n'Think: July 8th


Well, Lazy Genius cemented their status of dominance last night by winning yet another Drink'n'Think. In order to prevent any Drink'n'Think monopolies from forming, Alex and myself have decided to break up the team. They will still be able to participate...just not on the same team.

Last night was the 10th anniversary of our first trivia event. In a fitting tribute, our turnout mirrrored the inaugural event back in November of 2007.

We will back in two weeks for another round. A publicity blitz for the next event is forthcoming. See you there.

The questions from last night:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] What historic artifacts were found in the Qum'ran Canyon?
(Dead Sea Scrolls)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What element was discovered to exist in the Sun before it was found on Earth?
(Helium)

[SPORTS] Who did the Celtics draft number two overall in the 1986 draft but never played one minute for them?
(Len Bias)

[LITERATURE] What author of “American Gods” and “Anansi Boys” also co-wrote the screenplay for Beowulf?
(Neil Gaiman)

[POLITICS] Last week, Israel and what militant group agreed to end months of bitter clashes with a six-month truce?
(Hamas)

[MUSIC] Guitarist Saul Hudson is better known by what name?
(Slash)

[CURRENT EVENTS] A new constitution comes into force in what republic, whose February declaration of independence has been recognized by 43 United Nations member states?
(Republic of Kosovo)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] What cocktail was featured prominently in the 1998 movie, “The Big Lebowski”?
(White Russian)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Zachary Levi, born in Lake Charles, is the star of what NBC television show?
(Chuck)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Later a fad, what item was first used in 1972 by John Stalberger as a tool to help rehabilitate his injured knee?
(Hacky Sack)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] Although it is disputed, what woman is credited with designing and sewing the first American Flag?
(Betsy Ross)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] According to the tenets in this Haitian religion, derived from traditional beliefs of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, a dead person can be revived with no will of his/her own and used as a slave or “zombie”.
(Santeria/Voodoo)

[SPORTS] The 2008 UEFA Euro Cup is being jointly hosted by what two countries?
(Switzerland and Austria)

[LITERATURE] This “Jungle Book” author, and first person to win the Nobel Prize for literature, was born in Bombay.
(Rudyard Kipling)

[POLITICS] What German political leader was known as the "Iron Chancellor"?
(Otto von Bismarck)

[MUSIC] The relatively unknown band Creaky Boards recently made headlines by publicly accusing what super group of stealing one of its main melodies for their newly released album “Death and All His Friends”?
(Cold Play)

[CURRENT EVENTS] NBC News' Washington Bureau Chief died suddenly two weeks ago. Who was he?
(Tim Russert)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Before he died in the show’s sixth season, what was the name of Lisa’s jazz mentor on the Simpsons?
(Bleeding Gums Murphy)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Last week, the Louisiana Senate by a vote of 36-0 passed a bill that says teachers may use materials to supplement standard textbooks to the extent permitted by the local school board. This promptly brought condemnation from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. What was the name of the act?
(Louisiana Science Education Act)


[MISCELLANEOUS] Which of the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal characters wears a red-and-white striped hat?
(Crackle)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] What happened on Black Friday, September 24, 1869?

1.) Fisk-Gould Financial Scandal
2.) San Francisco Earthquake
3.) Official Start of the American Civil War

(Fisk-Gould Financial Scandal)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] A tornado occurring over water is called what?
(waterspout)

[SPORTS] Had Rocco Mediate beaten Tiger Woods last week he would have become the oldest U.S. Open Champion in history replacing what golfer?
(Hale Irwin – 1990 – aged 45 years and 15 days)

[LITERATURE] What Tom Robbins novel tells the story of a janitor with a missing bottle containing the secret essence of the universe?
(Jitterbug Perfume)

[POLITICS] What was the original name of Camp David?
(Shangri-La by President Franklin Roosevelt. President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed it
during his term of office.)

[MUSIC] What alternative rock group formed in 1984 kicks off their “Don’t Judge Me…Empower Me” tour with opening acts Lil’ Mama and MC Lyte?
(Ween)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Last week, the New York Mets fired their manager after a disappointing first half of the season? Who was he?
(Willie Randolph)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Don Imus and John Bowman were the original hosts for what cable TV network when it premiered in 1985?
(VH-1)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Performing at Delta Downs last Friday, the members of this group met as freshmen at Tuskegee University in 1968?
(The Commodores)

[MISCELLANEOUS] On this day in 1997, U.S. Air Force officials released a 231-page report dismissing long-standing claims of an alien spacecraft crash in what city?
(Roswell)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] Name the Roman emperor who died after being fed poisonous mushrooms.
(Claudius)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] A baby oyster is called which of the following:

Oviposter
Spat
Knob
(Spat)

[SPORTS] The Chicago Bears recently cut what running back after being charged with drunk driving twice in two months?
(Cedric Benson)

[LITERATURE] What author’s books include “We Were the Mulvaneys” and “Rape: A Love Story”
(Joyce Carol Oates)

[POLITICS] Following the 2004 enlargement of the European Union, which member state has the smallest population?
(Malta)

[MUSIC] A May 31st Proclamation by the President of the United States of America has officially made June 2008 the celebration of what?
(Black Music/ June 2008 is Black Music Month)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Earlier this month, several hundred thousand people demonstrated in the streets of Seoul, South Korea against the government's decision to resume imports of what American product, which was banned in 2003?
(Beef/ In 2003 it was banned for fear of mad cow disease)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Last month, Fox bought the distribution rights to the bastardized sequel of Richard Kelly’s 2001 debut film? What is the name of the original film?
(Donnie Darko/ Sequel: “S. Darko”)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Tabasco is trademarked as the brand name for the tabasco sauce marketed by what company based in Avery Island, Louisiana?
(The Mc.Ilhenny Company)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What internet browser recently released version 3.0 and is attempting to
set the world record for most downloads
(Firefox)

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Next Drink'n'Think: June 24th



In the continuing battle for supremacy of drink'n'think, Lazy Genius scored a victory last night...by 1 point. However, lost in the shuffle was the fact that What Would Jesus Do For A Klondike Bar was 3 points off the lead with only 2 people on their team!?

Thanks to everyone for coming out and making another successful drink'n'think. The next drink'n'think will be our 10th event.


Questions from last night:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] What space shuttle tragically exploded on January 29th, 1986?
(Challenger)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What French Theologian was exiled from Geneva, Switzerland because he and his colleagues were accused of wanting to create a new papacy?
(John Calvin)

[SPORTS] 1978 was the last year a horse won the U.S. Triple Crown. What was the name of the Horse?
(Affirmed)

[LITERATURE] What Pultizer Prize-winning book by Alex Haley was accused of plagiarizing a large section from "The African," a 1967 novel by author Hal Courlander.
(Roots)

[POLITICS] What former press secretary for G.W. Bush recently published his memoirs calling the current administration “insular, secretive and combative”?
(Scott McClellan)

[MUSIC] From June 12th-15th Manchester, Tennessee hosts what music festival?
(Bonnaroo)

[CURRENT EVENTS] On June 2nd The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed a declaration allowing foreign naval vessels to enter what countries territorial waters to deal with pirates?
(Somalia)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] According to IMDB, what television and movie star was originally cast as Indiana Jones, but turned it down to continue in his current role as a Hawaii based private investigator?
(Tom Selleck)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What is the official motto for the State of Louisiana?
(Union, Justice, and Confidence)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Men's Health Magazine's recently ranked The Unhealthiest Drinks in America. Consisting of 2,310 calories, 266g sugar, and 108g fat, what 32 oz. drink took the top prize:

A.) Krispy Kreme’s Very Berry Chiller
B.) Baskin Robbin’s Heath Bar Shake
C.) Starbucks’ Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino
D.) Sonic’s Banana Cream Pie Shake

(Baskin Robbin’s Heath Bar Shake)





ROUND 2

[HISTORY] The shortest war in history, roughly 45 minutes, took place between Great Britain and what county in 1896.
(Zanzibar surrendered after 45 minutes)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] The atomic number for nickel is 28. How many electrons are found in a neutral atom of nickel?
(28) The number of electrons in a neutral atom is equal to the number of
protons in the nucleus, or the atomic number

[SPORTS] The Louisiana Swashbucklers belong to, and are currently undefeated, in what football league?
(The Intense Football League)

[LITERATURE] In Russell Ash's “The Top 10 of Everything 2002,” the author provides a list of the 10 bestselling books of all time. The Bible is ranked no. 1. What book is ranked no. 2?
(Quotations from Chairman Mao or The Little Red Book by Mao Tse-Tung)

[POLITICS] Who is the current Prime Minister of Australia?
(Kevin Rudd)

[MUSIC] This New Orleans rapper’s much-anticipated album Tha Carter III, released today, was reportedly leaked early by a DJ who was seeking revenge on the star.
(Lil Wayne or Weezy)

[CURRENT EVENTS] What actress, who appeared in Showgirls and P.S. I Love You, is demanding a retraction from Vanity Fair after the magazine reported that former President Clinton has been seen visiting her in California?
(Gina Gershon)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What movie took home the Best Movie Award from the 2008 MTV Movie Awards?
(Transformers)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Although forming May 31st off the Yucatan Peninsula, the first named storm of the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season quickly made landfall at the Belize-Mexico border. What was the name of the tropical storm?
(Arthur)

[MISCELLANEOUS] A year after his death in 2006, this foreign leader’s body was found with a stake through its heart, apparently in order to curb any aspirations of his rising as a vampire.
(Slobodan Milosevic)

Source: Vampire slayer impales Milošević to stop return by Gabriel Ronay, Sunday-Herald.com, retrieved 9 November 2007




ROUND 3


[HISTORY] How many of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still exist?
(1 - the Great Pyramid of Giza)
The lost wonders include the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria.

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Which planet revolves around the sun in 88 days?
(Mercury)

[SPORTS] Recently Sports Illustrated ranked the 50 highest-earning athletes in the U.S. Earning $127 million last year, what athlete ranked no. 1?
(Tiger Woods)

[LITERATURE] What author of “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” and “What Is the What” is also the founder of McSweeney's, an independent publishing house?
(Dave Eggers)

[POLITICS] Who ran for President of the United States in 1928 with the campaign slogan "A chicken in every pot and a car in every backyard, to boot "?
(Herbert Hoover)

[MUSIC] According to Gamespot, following in the footsteps of Aerosmith, what band will be featured in the 2009 edition of Guitar Hero?
(Metallica)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Earlier this month, in the aftermath of inflammatory remarks by his longtime pastor the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama resigned his 20 year membership in what church?
(Trinity United Church of Christ)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] The Sex and the City film was originally slated for production shortly after the end of the TV series in 2004. But production was halted when what actress pulled out of the film after being unable to reach a salary agreement with HBO?
(Kim Cattrall – Samantha Jones)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] After leaving Sal Paradise in Mexico, the famous Dean Moriarty's car breaks down in Lake Charles, Louisiana in what famous book?
(On The Road)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What 13-year-old from West Lafayette, Indiana recently won the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee?
(Sameer Mishra)






ROUND 4

[HISTORY] According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the largest recorded earthquake in the world was a magnitude 9.5 and occurred on May 22, 1960 in what country?
(Chile)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Tom Monaghan, the Catholic philanthropist who started Ave Maria University and endorsed Mitt Romney in his campaign for the presidency, made his fortune with what fast-food chain?
(Domino’s Pizza)

[SPORTS] What four time winner of the Indy 500 announced his retirement on May 17th, 1994?
(Al Unser, Jr.)

[LITERATURE] What current best-selling book by Randy Pausch gives lessons and morals for his young and infant children to learn once he passes away from terminal cancer?
(The Last Lecture)

[POLITICS] Who is the longest-serving member in the history of the Senate? He is also the oldest current member of the United States Congress. Byrd has held the office since January 3, 1959
(Robert C. Byrd, West Virginia)

[MUSIC] “Anywhere I Lay My Head”, featuring ten songs written by Tom Waits, is the debut album by what actress?
(Scarlett Johansson)

[CURRENT EVENTS] On June 3rd, a Paris court convicted what actress of provoking discrimination and racial hatred for writing a letter to then-Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy that Muslims are destroying France.
(Brigitte Bardot)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What Melrose Place spin-off first aired in 1994 and starred Linda Gray as Hillary Michaels, the mother of Amanda Woodward from 'Melrose Place'.
(Models, Inc).

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] According to the Times of Southwest Louisiana’s 2008 Reader’s Poll, what restaurant was voted Best Home Cookin’ Like Your Mama’s?
(Cajun Café)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What national chain restaurant has recently come under fire for its student essay writing contest that explicitly excludes home-schooled children?
(Subway)