Drink'n'Think

Success!

2009-09-14T12:15:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to "My Chemical Bromance" who won a whopping $75 pot by just 1 point! Thanks to everyone who showed up on September 1st. We look forward to seeing you again on October 6th. Here are the questions from that night.

ROUND 1

[Cinema] Heath Ledger won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor of 2008 for his role as the Joker in the film, The Dark Knight. Who won Best Supporting Actress in 2008? (Penelope Cruz for her role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

[History] Theodore Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for negotiating peace between what two warring countries? (Russia and Japan)

[Sports] What Southland Conference school is planning to renew its football team in 2010 after having disbanded it in 1989? (Lamar)

[Literature] What play by William Shakespeare includes the characters Duncan, Banquo, and Hecate? (Macbeth)

[Local Knowledge] What star of the TV show "Chuck" was born in Lake Charles? (Zachary Levi)

[Politics] One member of the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of John F. Kennedy, later himself became President of the United States. Who was he? (Gerald Ford)

[Science & Religion] What disease is caused by the newest strain of the H1N1 virus? (Swine Flu)

[Geography] Including Alaska and Hawaii, what is the largest country, by area, in North America? (Canada)

[Television] What long-running TV show's characters include Professor Frink, Comic Book Guy, and Groundskeeper Willie? (The Simpsons)

[Literature] What author created the fictional detective C. Auguste Dupin? (Edgar Allan Poe)

ROUND 2

[Cinema] This film marks the first (and so far the only time) in animation history that Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny appeared on screen together. (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

[Science & Religion] Name any two of NASA’s three operational space shuttles. (Atlantis, Discovery, Endeavour)

[Politics] What House Democrat recently asked a protestor at a health care reform meeting, “On what planet do you spend most of your time? (Barney Frank)

[Local Knowledge] In what year was Lake Charles' spring festival "Contraband Days" first held: 1898, 1924, 1957, or 1971? (1957)

[Literature] What author's posthumously published novel "Northanger Abbey" was a parody of Gothic novels? (Jane Austen)

[Sports] What baseball Hall of Famer twice interrupted his career to fly fighter jets for the United States MC, once in Korea and once in World War II? (Ted Williams)

[History] As many as thirty million people died in this colony of Belgium between 1885 and 1908, many of them due to brutal forced labor in the rubber industry. (The Congo)

[Music] Which former Beatle organized the 1971 "Concert for Bangladesh"? (George Harrison)

[Local Knowledge] What LA parish is named for the title character of a Longfellow poem? (“Evangeline”)

[History] What "barbarian" tribe "sacked" Rome in 410 A.D.? (Visigoths)

ROUND 3

[Television] What children’s television show did PBS announce the cancellation last Tuesday, ending its 26 year run? (Reading Rainbow)

[History] The last major Confederate forces to surrender to the Union army did so on May 26, 1865, under the command of General E.K. Smith, in what Southern city? (New Orleans)

[Sports] On this day in 1972, America’s Bobby Fischer beat who in Reykjavik, Iceland to become the World Chess Champion? (Boris Spassky)

[Literature]What novel did Kurt Vonnegut draw on his experience as a POW during the firebombing of Dresden to write? (Slaughterhouse 5)

[Local Knowledge] In 2009, a recruitment effort led to this adult film star and Louisiana native to consider challenging incumbent David Vitter in the 2010 Republican Senate primary. She was also in the news again for her arrest for a domestic-violence misdemeanor in July according to XBIZ. [Stormy Daniels aka Stephanie Clifford]

[Politics] What former member of George W. Bush's cabinet is now a member of the Political Science Department at Stanford University? (Condoleezza Rice)

[Science & Religion] What chemical, formerly used in dry-cleaning, fire extinguishers, and lava lamps has the chemical formula〖 CCl〗_4? (Carbon Tetra Chloride, also accepted tetracholoromethane)

[Music] What was the title of the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson's first solo album in 1972? (“Got to Be There”)

[Literature] What author (who died in 2008) wrote the story collections “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, and A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never do Again?” (David Foster Wallace)

[Local Knowledge] What is the name of the Destroyer to be berthed in Lake Charles in the upcoming months? (USS Orleck)

ROUND 4

[Music] Which Jazz saxophonist, who composed a widely successful version of “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music, died of liver cancer at the age of 40 in 1967? (John Coltrane)

[Science & Religion] Name one of the two books of the Christian Bible that never mention God. (Song of Solomon (aka Song of Songs) and Book of Esther)

[Politics] Who was the first person elected president of the United States in the 19th century? (Thomas Jefferson)

[Local Knowledge] Who is the President of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury? (Hal McMillin)

[Literature] The works of this Nobel Prize-winning English playwright include The Caretaker, Betrayal, The Dumb Waiter, and Old Times? (Harold Pinter)

[Sports] What two places in the United States have hosted the Olympic Games twice? (Las Angeles, CA in 1932 and 1984 and Lake Placid, NY in 1932 and 1980)

[History] The 1794 Whiskey Rebellion of farmers protesting a federal tax on grain broke out in what state? (Pennsylvania)

[Geography] Within what Kingdom is Greenland? Denmark

[Literature] For what novel did Anne Tyler win the 1989 Pulitzer Prize? (Breathing Lessons)

[Cinema] In the 1973 film The Exorcist, what name does Linda Blair's character, Regan, use to describe the demonic presence during the early stages of her possession? That is, who does Regan tell her mom that she communicates with through her Ouija Board? [Captain Howdy]

Viva La Drink'n'Think

2009-07-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

That's right, Drink'n'Think lives on! The next episode of DnT will take place on Tuesday September 1, 2009 at Cooler's Ice House. Sign up starts at 7:30pm and questions begin at 8:00pm. A giant thanks goes out to Matt who will continue to host and to Lenny "Lazy Genius" Ornas who has agreed to write questions. Hope to see you all in September!

Drink'n'Think 4 Eva

2009-07-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Fighting Curzons for taking home the win last night. Thank you to everyone for supporting DnT these last two years. However, fear not, Muff and Dye will bring Drink'n'Think back in September. Long live banal minutia.

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] The United States recognized what country's Independence on July 4, 1946 in the Treaty of Manila?
(Philippines)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What spiritual leader turned 74 yesterday?

(Dalai Lama)

[SPORTS] The New Jersey Nets recently traded Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to the Orlando Magic for three players. Name 1 of the 3

(Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee)

[LITERATURE] Who is the richest character in the Wind in the Willows?

(Mr. Toad)

[POLITICS] The governor of South Carolina is being investigated for using state money in his trips to see his mistress in Argentina. Who is he?

(Mark Sanford)

[MUSIC] Of the 9 children in the Jackson family, who is the youngest?

(Janet Jackson)

[CURRENT EVENTS] What famous Hollywood star died at the age 86 last month?

(Ed McMahon)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISION] Who turned down the role of Danny in Grease for fear of being typecast?

(Henry Winkler - The Fonz)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What rare creature was spotted in Calcasieu Lake again after a long absence?

(Albino or pink dolphin)

[MISCELLANEOUS] One of the world's largest BitTorrent trackers (based in Sweden), confirmed last week that it would be acquired by Global Gaming Factory X for 7.8 million dollars. What is the name of the site?

(Pirate Bay)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] Who was the 32nd president of the U.S.?

(Franklin D. Roosevelt)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What is the heaviest breed of bear?

(Polar)

[SPORTS] What sport other than ice-skating was Tara Lipinkski a national champ in?
(roller skating)

[LITERATURE] What musical is based on the play Pygmalion?

(My Fair Lady)

[POLITICS] Last week President Obama signed into law a federal program that provides consumers with a rebate for trading in less fuel-efficient vehicles for more fuel efficient vehicles. What is the name of the federal program?
(Car Allowance Rebate System or Cash for Clunkers)

[MUSIC] What musical group originally included LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett?

(Destiny's Child)

[CURRENT EVENTS] According to recent obesity rankings, what state has the highest rate of overweight and obese children at 44.4%?

(Mississippi - followed by Arkansas (37.5%) and Georgia (37.3%)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What sport was played by the Mighty Pigs who were coached by Chief Wiggum on The Simpsons?

(hockey)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] A recent report in the Houston Business Journal analyzed the top 250 metropolitan area growth patterns. According to their projections, Lake Charles will drop from 207 to where on the list?

A.) 215

B.) 236

C.) 249

(249)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What state after Idaho grow the most potatoes each year?

(Washington)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] What country made history in 1893 by giving its women the right to vote?

(New Zealand)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What nationality was Pope John Paul II?

(Polish)

[SPORTS] Ron Artest is leaving the Houston Rockets to play for what NBA team?

(the Lakers)

[LITERATURE] What D. H. Lawrence novel was originally titled tenderness?

(Lady Chatterley's Lover)

[POLITICS] The 8th United States Secretary of Defense died yesterday. Who was he?

(Robert McNamara)

[MUSIC] Which former member of the Rolling Stones was 47 when he started dating 13-year-old Mandy Smith, his future wife?

(Bill Wyman)

[CURRENT EVENTS] More than five years after its release, Google is removing the "beta" label from what application, signaling that the product is now fully functional?

(Gmail)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What war is taking place in the novel Lord of the Flies?

(World War II)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] The City of Welsh, Louisiana celebrated the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States for the first time ever last month. What is the name of the celebration?
(Juneteenth)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What crazy nickname is given to the Canadian dollar coin due to the bird pictured on it?

(Looney)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] Who devised the towering framework that supports the Statue of Liberty?

(Alexandre Gustave Eiffel)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What does the medical acronym PET stand for?

(Positron emission tomography)

[SPORTS] It is rumored that the Tribune company has sold the Chicago Cubs to the founder of TD Ameritrade for $900 million. Who is he?

(Joe Ricketts)

[LITERATURE] What author is causing a stir in his new book, "Bobbie and Jackie: A Love Story" by claiming that

Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy had a long-term affair after JFK was assassinated?

(C. David Heymann)

[POLITICS] During a June 19th radio debate, what Pennsylvania State Senator repeatedly asserted that same-sex marriage is wrong, dysfunctional, and would lead to polygamy and marrying younger people?

(John Eichelberger)

[MUSIC] What was the Police's biggest selling single?

(Every Breath You Take)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Police arrested 36 activists after clashes at a demonstration against this week's G-8 summit in what city?
(Rome)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What movie director played the Cook County Assessor's Office Clerk in The Blues Brothers?

(Steven Spielberg)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What exhibit recently opened at Historic City telling the story of the Negro Baseball League of the 1920s?
(We are the Ship)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What is the largest island in the Atlantic?

(Greenland)

(Au Revoir Edition) Tuesday, July 7th

2009-07-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

Come out and bask in the fading twilight that is Lake Charles Drink'n'Think.

Cooler's Ice House

8:00 P.M.

The best $3 you have ever spent.

Next Drink'n'Think: ?

2009-05-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Necesito otra cerveza for emerging from the pack to claim their first ever Drink'n'Think victory last night. Every team was in contention until the very end.

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] Cinco De Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely defeat of what country's forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862?

(France)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] America's largest Protestant denomination baptized fewer people in 2008 for the fourth year in a row to reach the lowest level since 1987. What denomination is it?

(Southern Baptist)

[SPORTS] Who did the New Orleans Saint select in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft?

(Malcolm Jenkins - CB Ohio State)

[LITERATURE] What Graham Greene novel, also a movie, begins with the following line, "A story has no beginning or end; arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead."

(The End of the Affair)

[POLITICS] Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, recently appearing on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart during her trip to the United States, is the first female president of what African country?

(Liberia)

[MUSIC] What artist performed the theme song to the television series "Buffy The Vampire Slayer"?

A.) Seven Mary Three

B.) Nerf Herder

C.) MXPX

(Nerf Herder)

[CURRENT EVENTS] What former vice presidential candidate died over the weeekend?

(Jack Kemp)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISION] Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich might be dumped into a Costa Rican jungle this summer as part of what upcoming reality TV show on NBC?

(“I’m a celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!”)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] With doubled outbound traffic capacity in Lake Charles, the Louisiana Department of Transportation will no longer implement what during hurricane evacuations?

(contraflow)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What national tourist attraction, completed in 1937, is the most popular place to commit suicide in the United States?

(The Golden Gate Bridge)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] What Danish Philosopher, known for writing under various pseudonyms who present their own distinctive viewpoints in a complex dialogue, was born on this day in 1813?

(Soren Kierkegaard)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Is Earth the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th planet from the sun?

(3rd - Mercury, Venus, then Earth)

[SPORTS] Who did the Phillies defeat in the National League Championship Series last year to reach the world series?

(L.A. Dodgers)

[LITERATURE] What female author won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize in fiction for her book, Olive Kitteridge?

(Elizabeth Strout)

[POLITICS] To show his support for enhanced interrogation techniques, what fox news anchor has volunteered to be waterboarded?
(Sean Hannity)

[MUSIC] Three of America's most beloved musical icons are teaming up for the 2009 Ballpark Tour. The jaunt kicks off July 2nd in Sauget, Illinois, with the trio playing minor league baseball stadiums across the country until August 15th. Name 1 of the 3.

(Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Since the crackdown on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil, close to 6,500 civilians have been killed and many thousands more wounded in the past three months during heavy fighting in what country?

(Sri Lanka)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] WB has announced that this famous comic book character, who possesses a power ring that gives him great control over the physical world, will be adapted into a screenplay and filmed with a $150 million dollar budget.

(The Green Lantern)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Name 1 of the 2 former political figures who visited Cameron Parish last month as part of the Coastal Recovery Fund to to assess hurricane damage and recovery progress in Southwest Louisiana following the 2008 hurricane season?

(George H. Bush and James Baker)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What are the two longest rivers in the United States?

(Mississippi and the Missouri)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] On December 20, 1860, what was the first state to secede from the Union?

(South Carolina)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Every year between 2001 and 2008, former President Bush's calendar was cleared on the first Thursday in May to celebrate what national observance organized by James and Shirley Dobson?

(National Day of Prayer)

[SPORTS] The NBA's oldest active player career at age 42 said his lengthy career is finished, after a knee injury knocked him out of the Rockets' playoff game against the Portland Trailblazers. Who is he?

(Dikembe Mutombo)

[LITERATURE] What book did Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez give to President Barack Obama, rocketing it to the No. 2 seller on Amazon.com?

(Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent," by Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galeano)

[POLITICS] While Obama spoke about creating a consumer-friendly credit card system last month morning, the current National Economic Council Chairman fell asleep. Who is he?

(Lawrence Summers)

[MUSIC] U2's "Angel of Harlem" was written about what singer?

(Billie Holiday)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Police are searching for George Zinkhan after his ex-wife and two other men were shot to death outside a local theater company last month. He is a marketing professor at what university?

(University of Georgia)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What actress portrayed Thelma-Mae Crowley Harper on the television show Mama's Family?

(Vicki Lawrence)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] After 21 years of service to the community, the first floor of what downtown location went up in flames last month?
(Lake Charles Children's Museum)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What is the third largest submarine sandwich chain in the United States, trailing Subway and Quiznos?

(Blimpie)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] The 1st US Minimum Wage Law was instituted in 1938, at how much money per hour?

A.) 25 cents

B.) 75 cents

C.) 1 dollar

(25 cents)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What is the softest mineral, having a hardness of one (1) on the Mohs Hardness Scale?

(Talc)

[SPORTS] The Los Angeles Galaxy recently received $10 millions dollars to extend the loan of David Beckham to what European soccer club until July?

(A.C. Milan)

[LITERATURE] Although he died in 1977, the author of Pale Fire will have a new novel released this year - The Original of Laura. Who is he?

(Vladimir Nabokov)

[POLITICS] Proposed legislation would place a cap on merit-based TOPS scholarships in Louisiana at an amount that would fully cover tuition costs at every state public college except two. Name them [no partial credit]

(LSU - Baton Rouge and the University of New Orleans)

[MUSIC] With a successful but often tense Pixies reunion tour behind her, Kim Deal and her band, have just self-released the Fate to Fatal EP. What is the name of her band?

(The Breeders)

[CURRENT EVENTS] What actress, most famous for her role on the Golden Girls, died at the age of 86 last month?
(Bea Arthur)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] On April 27th what actress will begin a fast of water only in solidarity with the people of Darfur?

(Mia Farrow)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Last month, Laura Rubit, the oldest woman in Calcasieu Parish died at what age?
A.) 99
B.) 108
C.) 112
(112)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Keanu Reeves plays former Ohio State Quarterback Johnny Utah in what 1991 film?

(Point Break)

Next Drink'n'Think: Tuesday, May 5th

2009-04-08T10:22:00.000-07:00

Lazy Genius barely pulled out the victory last night, beating the Nutcutters by two points. A special thanks to Michael Crawford for producing a much needed IPOD cable. Thanks to everyone for playing and we will see you next month on Cinco De Mayo.

The questions from last night:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] On what date in history did King George III of England note in his diary: "Nothing of importance happened today."
(July 4, 1776)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What constellation points to the south celestial pole?
(The Southern Cross)

[SPORTS] At 11 national titles, UCLA currently holds the record for the most NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships. The University of Kentucky is second, with 7 national titles. Who is third with 5 national titles?

(Indiana University/UNC)

[LITERATURE] Born on July 24, 1895 this English poet, translator, and novelist produced over 140 works, including "I, Claudius" and "King Jesus."

(Robert Graves)

[POLITICS] The longest-serving U.S. Senator in Kentucky’s history, and the current Senate Republican Leader in the 111th Congress, was quoted as saying, "President Bush had become extremely unpopular, and politically he was sort of a millstone around our necks in both '06 and '08." Who is he?

(Mitch McConnell)

[MUSIC] A Northern Georgia District judge sentenced what rapper to 1 year and 1 day in prison on Friday, March 27 for felony weapons charges stemming from his October 2007 arrest on the eve of the BET Hip-Hop Awards?

(T.I.)

[CURRENT EVENTS] What global event, organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature, was held on March 28th and asked households and businesses to turn off their electricity for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change?

(Earth Hour)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISION] What sci-fi channel show's series finale aired last month, but has a spin-off (Caprica) and a movie in the works.

(Battlestar Gallactica)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What band, best known for their early-nineties hit "Santa Monica", will play L'auberge on May 7th?

(Everclear)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Is Roger Moore the actor who portrayed James Bond in seven films beginning with Live and Let Die alive or dead?

(alive - 81 years old)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] On this day in 1947, what automotive pioneer died at age 83.

(Henry Ford)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Labeled as heretics by the Church of Rome in the 5th Century for believing that Christ had only a single divine nature, the members of the this denomination of Christianity number one million and constitute 60% of all Christians in Egypt?

(Coptic Church)

[SPORTS] What university's football team played in the first seven Holiday Bowls?
(Brigham Young University)

[LITERATURE] What Irish, Nobel Prize winning poet recently won the David Cohen Prize for Literature (worth 40,000 pounds) for lifetime achievement?

(Seamus Heaney)

[POLITICS] After President Obama's dismissal of a pot-related question during a recent town hall meeting, the country's leading marijuana advocacy group saw its donations quadruple 24 hours later. What is the name of the group?
(The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws)

[MUSIC] What pop star recently adopted a Malawian girl last week?

(Madonna)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Last week, an appeals court said a Pennsylvania police department was justified in firing an officer because he permanently lost which 1 of his 5 senses following an off-duty motorcycle accident?

(His sense of smell) - The court said the firing was valid because police need their sense of smell to detect substances like drugs, alcohol, hazardous materials

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Jennifer Jason Leigh was approached to play the part of Libby on what current ABC television show, but she declined.

(LOST)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Last month, a text message circulated around the lake area warning residents that a gang initiation would be taking place at what store?

(Wal-Mart)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What is nation's longest interstate highway, connecting Boston and Seattle?
(I-90)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] Who told Winston Churchill "that the French regard him as the reincarnation of Joan of Arc"?
(Charles de Gaulle)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What part of the brain is often referred to as the fear center, helping us decide whether to fight, take flight, or be afraid?

(The amygdala)

[SPORTS] Whose number 4 was the first number ever retired in major league baseball, in 1939?
(Lou Gerhig).

[LITERATURE] What Russian novel's opening line reads, "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

(Anna Karenina by Tolstoy)

[POLITICS] What Texan ended up with one delegate after spending $12 million of his own money running for president in 1980?
(John Connally)

[MUSIC] What song was recently voted the best karaoke song for men by Askmen.com? It’s repetitive, it doesn’t require a lot of work, and most men associate it with Easy Rider.

(Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf)

[CURRENT EVENTS] What prestigous, London-based medical journal openly accused the Pope of distorting scientific evidence to promote Catholic doctrine on the issue of condoms and HIV/AIDS?

(The Lancet)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Nominated for 10 academy awards this film was set in the mid 1800s, around the time of the U.S. Civil War and Tammany Hall political corruption, and featured Bill "The

Butcher" Cutting.

(Gangs of New York)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What member of this year's American Idol final 10 was born and raised in Sulphur, Louisiana?
(Michael Sarver)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What was the first U.S service academy to admit women?

(The Coast Guard Academy in July of 1976)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] What markswoman did Sitting Bull dub "Little Sure Shot?
(Annie Oakley)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Though perhaps best known for portraying the Hindu saint Gandhi, this British actor is a member of the Religious Society of Friends.

(Ben Kingsley)

[SPORTS] Last month, what goalie reached a record 552nd win, passing Hall of Famer Patrick Roy for the most career victories in NHL history?

(Martin Brodeur)

[LITERATURE] Using the pen name J.D. Robb, What popular romance novelist branched out into the world of detective fiction with her book series "In Death"?

(Nora Roberts)

[POLITICS] On a recommendation from the California Air Resources Board, The Golden State is currently considering legislation to restrict what consumer option on new automobiles?

(Color - Apparently, the California Air Resources Board figures that the climate control systems of dark colored cars need to work harder than their lighter siblings – using more

energy)

[MUSIC] Metallica will be inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame with all of its former members except the one who currently fronts the band Megadeth. Who is he?

(Dave Mustaine)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Relics of 39 saints were found in a 12th-century German portable altar by the the staff at what museum, last month?

(The British Museum). The altar had been donated in 1902, but had not been opened until today

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Name any 1 of the 5 original MTV VJ's.

(Martha Quinn, J.J. Jackson, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter and Nina Blackwood)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What blues legend was "discovered" by musicologist John Lomax in 1930 while serving time in the Angola Prison Farm (Louisiana State Penitentiary)?
(Lead Belly or Huddie William Ledbetter)

[MISCELLANEOUS] In the banking world, what does FDIC stand for?

(Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)

Next Drink'n'Think: April 7th, 2009

2009-03-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Dirty Briefs for bringing home the victory and creeping their way up the all-time leader board. Thanks to everyone for coming out and playing. A big thanks to Brock for the drink specials and ipod cable!

Here are the questions from last night:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] On this day in 1933, what acclaimed movie premiered in New York featuring Fay Wray as leading lady? A remake was released in 2005.
(King Kong)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Last month Apple announced the public beta test of which product, said to be the world's fastest and most innovative web browser?

(Safari 4)

[SPORTS] In last month's NBA All-Star game, the traditional game of H-O-R-S-E was renamed after the events sponsor. What was the name of the sponsor?

(GEICO)

[LITERATURE] What famous author, who wrote "The Edible Woman" in 1969, recently declined an invitation to the international Dubai literary festival after a romantic novel by Britain's Geraldine Bedell (The Gulf Between Us) was reportedly banned from the festival?

(Margaret Atwood)

[POLITICS] Who is the current governor of Idaho?

(C.L. "Butch" Otter)

[MUSIC] Last month, what band announced both a tour with Jane's addiction and temporary retirement after 2009? The lead singer is quoted as saying, "2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first release. I've been thinking for some time now it's time to disappear for a while."

(Nine Inch Nails)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Manuel Uribe, dubbed the world's fattest man by the Guiness Book of World Records, weighed 1,257 pounds at his heaviest. In the past two years, however, he has lost how much weight in preparation for marriage?

A.) 360 lbs

B.) 480 lbs

C.) 570 lbs

(570 lbs)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISION] Name one of the two years in which the Oscar ceremony was delayed because of a national political crisis.

(1968: Martin Luther King Jr. assassination. 1981: President Ronald Reagan assassination attempt.)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Name the sister city of Lake Charles.

(Sioux city, Iowa)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What country has approved a 1.7 billion dollar plan to launch its first astronauts into space by 2015?

(India)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] On this day in 2005, what now deceased adventurer became the first person to fly a plane solo, non-stop around the globe without refuelling?

(Steve Fossett)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What Christian denomination restricts the consumption of pork or other unclean meat as identified in the book of Leviticus and adheres to the teachings of Ellen G. White?

(Seventh-day Adventists)

[SPORTS] What is the last name of the 7-foot twins who played basketball at Stanford and currently play in the NBA for the New Jersey Nets and Phoenix Suns?

(Brook and Robin Lopez)

[LITERATURE] In a soon to be filmed biopic actor James Franco is slated to play what young poet, who published "Howl" at the age of twenty-nine?

(Ginsberg)

[POLITICS] According to a report by the Department of Health and Human Services, health care will cost the average american what amount this year?
A.) $7,000
B.) $8,000
C.) $9,000

($8,000)

[MUSIC] What group won a 2009 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album?

(Radiohead for "In Rainbows")

[CURRENT EVENTS] What computer company recently put a $250,000 bounty on the Conficker computer worm's creator?

(Microsoft)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What early nineties television show featured Stephen Baldwin as William F. Cody and Josh Brolin as James Butler Hickok?

(Young Riders)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Last month at Fort Polk, workers were exposed to a mystery substance after a back hoe broke open three, buried glass vials. What was the mystery substance?

(Diluted mustard and blistering agent used to decontaminate harmful chemicals during World War II)

[MISCELLANEOUS] According to a recent 60 minutes segment, more than 100 college presidents, including the heads of Dartmouth, Virginia Tech and Duke have signed a declaration to reverse what law instituted in the mid-1980s that was intended to reduce highway fatalities.

(National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 - raising the drinking age from 18 to 21)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] On this day in 1966 what American rapper and actor (most notably for his role as Emilio in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective) was born?

(Tone Loc - Anthony Terrell Smith)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] How long does a nanosecond last?
(one billionth of a second)

[SPORTS] The United States is in Pool D of the World Baseball Classic (staring in 2 days!). Name 1 of the 3 other teams in this pool.

(Venezuela, Italy, Canada)

[LITERATURE] What university's three-year Master of Fine Arts writing program is the best-funded MFA program in the United States? Endowed by the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist James A. Michener, the program provides all of its students with a $25,000 non-teaching fellowship, plus an average of $2,000 each summer.

(University of Texas, Austin)

[POLITICS] What former G.W. Bush cabinet member has agreed to a three-book deal with Crown Publishers, starting with a memoir in 2010?

(Condoleeza Rice)

[MUSIC] This band, famously known for their 1989 video that ended with a fish flopping around and gasping for air, is reuniting in 2009.

(Faith No More)

[CURRENT EVENTS] On March 16th, two men will go to court to settle a long-standing dispute over the authenticity of their respective windows from this famous building in Dallas, Texas.

(Texas Schoolbook Depository Building - now the Dallas County Administration Building)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] In the movie "Child's Play" what is Chucky's full name? It is derived from the names of three notorious killers.

(Charles Lee Ray - Charles Manson, Lee Harvey Oswald, James Earl Ray)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What city in Louisiana hosts the Railroad Days festival every April?
(DeQuincy)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Last year, five employees of the health-care provider New Zealand Care resigned when the company ordered them to provide what service to patients who requested it?

(assistance in masturbation)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] Grand Rapids, Michigan was the 1st US city to fluoridate its water in what year?

A.) 1943

B.) 1945

C.) 1947

(1945)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Serena and Venus Williams support the presidency of Barak Obama, but they didn't vote...at all. This is because they are followers of what religion that discourages involvement in politics?

(Jehovah's Witnesses)

[SPORTS] Last week the the Saints released their franchise rushing leader (6,069 yards). Who is he?

(Deuce McAllister)

[LITERATURE] The New York Post's celebrity and gossip supplement recently named 2 authors to the 50 "hottest bachelors" in New York City. Name 1 of the 2. Hint: one is 61 years old the other is 33 years old.

(Salman Rushdie and Keith Gessen)

[POLITICS] Researchers at the New England Historic Genealogical Society found that Barack Obama is a distant cousin of what actor, recently nominated for best actor in a leading role?

(Brad Pitt)

[MUSIC] How were Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison when they died?

(27 years old)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Electronic Arts' is soon to release a video game based on what famous 14th-century epic poem?

(The Divine Comedy. The game will be called Dante's Inferno starring Dante as a warrior slashing his way through hell)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Who is the first character to speak in Star Wars?

(C3PO)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Secretary of State Jay Dardenne says his office is working on plans for a 30,000-square-foot expansion for what museum located in Monroe, Louisiana?
(the Chennault Air and Military Museum of Louisiana)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Is American author Ray Bradbury alive or dead?

(alive - 88 years old)

Next Drink'n'Think: Tuesday, March 3rd

2009-02-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone for coming out to the newest version of Drink'n'Think @ Cooler's Ice House. Our new venue and host were both fantastic. Who doesn't like free shots and popcorn? The competition last night was fierce, with 3 points separating the Lazy Genius from the rest of the pack. We will continue Drink'n'Think the first Tuesday of the Month at Cooler's. See you in March.

Last night questions and answers:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] On this day in 1924, the 28th US President died. Who was he?
(Woodrow Wilson)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Orbiters, landers, and rovers recently sent back information suggesting that what weather phenomenon is occurring high in the sky above mars?

(Snow/ It is snowing)

[SPORTS] In the most recent steroid scandal hitting major league baseball, what former New York Mets pitcher has been accused of doping?

(Dwight Gooden)

[LITERATURE] What acclaimed author of the Witches of Eastwick and Rabbit, Run died at the age of 76 last week?

(John Updike)

[POLITICS] Last week, The United States Senate confirmed who as Secretary of the Treasury?

(Timothy F. Geithner)

[MUSIC] The New York times reports that the Nederlander Organization is turning the most famous pop album of 1982 into a broadway musical. What is the name of the album?

(Thriller)

[CURRENT EVENTS] In the midst of a recession, what fast food chain is set to open up 1000 more stores during 2009?

(McDonald's)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISION] Who recently won the Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by a male actor in a lead role?

(Sean Penn - Milk)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What is the site of the oldest known Louisiana civilization, in West Carroll Parish, where an Indian village existed 2, 700 years ago?

(Poverty Point)

[MISCELLANEOUS] NBC's vice president of advertising standards rejected what organizations original submission because it "depicted a level of sexuality exceeding our standards"?

(PETA)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] Name any 1 of the 3 musicians who died on this day in 1959 when their plane crashed in Iowa.

(Buddy Holly, Jiles P Richardson (the Big Bopper) and Ritchie Valens)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What famous British narrator of the Planet Earth series reports getting a lot of hate mail because he doesn't give credit to God in his documentaries?

(Sir David Frederick Attenborough)

[SPORTS] The top-seeded woman in the Australian open was knocked out in the fourth round? What is her name?

(Jelena Jankovic)

[LITERATURE] What Philip Roth novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1998 and told the story Seymour, a Jewish-American businessman and former high school athlete from Newark, New Jersey?

(American Pastoral)

[POLITICS] Economic leaders from across the globe begin meeting in what country last Wednesday for the World Economic Forum?
(Switzerland)

[MUSIC] What recently reunited alt-rock band from the early nineties provided the soundtrack for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe commercial that aired during the superbowl?

(Smashing Pumpkins)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Last week, for the the second time in US History, a woman gave birth to a living set of how many babies?

(8 - octuplets)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What former SNL star is slated to replace Conan O'Brien as the host of "late night" in 2009?

(Jimmy Fallon)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Louisiana Senator David Vitter will travel to what infamous location next week with a group of Republican members of Congress?

(Guantanamo Bay)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What was the first Lifesavor flavor?

(Pep-O-Mint or peppermint)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] On this day in 1953, what famous oceanographer published his most famous and lasting work, The Silent World?

(Jacques-Yves Cousteau)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] A recent study of 800 men, led by the University of Nottingham, found that men who are very sexually active in their twenties and thirties are more likely to develop what type of cancer, especially if they masturbate frequently?

(Prostate)

[SPORTS] Mustapaha Farrakhan, the grandson of Louis Farrakhan, is the starting guard for what ACC college basketball team?

(University of Virginia)

[LITERATURE] The following line was ranked one of the top 10 most outrageous opening lines in the history of literature: "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen." What book is it from?

(1984)

[POLITICS] President Barack Obama won approval from what percent of Americans in his first three days on the job, according to a Gallup poll?

A.) 58%

B.) 71%

C.) 68%

(68%)

[MUSIC] What classic Monty Python song was recently named the best "alternative" funeral song?

(Always Look on the Bright Side of Life)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Last Wednesday some professors canceled classes to allow students to attend a protest against budget reductions in education funding at the Capitol building of what state?

(Arizona)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] On February15th, what animated show will be broadcast in HD for the first time?

(The Simpsons)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What Louisiana city host's the Mudbug Madness Festival every May?
(Shreveport)

[MISCELLANEOUS] A non-government study in the Netherlands found that what percentage of the Dutch population downloaded, hacked, or pirated DVDs, games, and music in the last 12 months?

A.) 25%

B.) 35%

C.) 55%

(25% or 4.7 million Dutch)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] On this day in 1877 what piano piece was copyrighted? It is notably played by Tom Hanks in a shopping mall in the movie "Big".

(chopsticks)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] When light reflects off of water at a 42 degree angle it creates what?

(a rainbow)

[SPORTS] Who was the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals between 1997 and 2002? His nickname comes from a professional wrestler.

(Jake "The Snake" Plummer)

[LITERATURE] What is the world's most shoplifted book?

(The bible)

[POLITICS] In response to allowing one of the ladies of the "View" to run her fingers through his hair, what politician said, "Well, I didn't expect she would do that. She did it on her own."?

(Blagoyevich)

[MUSIC] According to Forbes Magazine, what artist sold the most albums in 2008?

(Taylor Swift (4 millions albums)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Last week the U.S. Army reported the highest level of what (128 confirmed) among its soldiers since it began tracking the rate 28 years ago?

(Suicide)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Lark Voorhies portrayed what character Saved by the Bell?

(Lisa)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Born in New Orleans on September 14, 1969, this man is the writer, director, and producer of two successful TBS television shows.
(Tyler Perry)

[MISCELLANEOUS] The average raindrop falls at a rate of what speed?
A.) 20 mph

B.) 22 mph

C.) 19 mph

(22)

Tuesday, February 3rd @ Cooler's Ice House

2009-01-28T14:56:00.001-08:00

Drink'n'Think is going through some changes in 2009. First of all, our illustrious host Alex is retiring from his duties as host. He will be sorely missed. Matthew Dye will be replacing Alex as the host of Drink'n'Think for this upcoming session.

Additionally, Cooler's Ice House is our new home. We had a good run at Nate's place and we thank them for picking us up after RikenJaks shut down. Cooler's is located right next to the S & M shop (though not what would you expect) on Ryan Street.

We are keeping the same time: Sign-ups at 7:30 p.m./ Trivia starts at 8:00 p.m.
Price: $3/person to enter
Format: 4 rounds/ 10 questions each round/ last round worth double points
Pot: Winner takes all the cash

The only difference is scaling back the members on any one team. Each team can have a maximum of 4 players.

Come on out next Tuesday for Drink'n'Think 3.0.

Next Drink'n'Think: 2009

2008-11-17T07:11:00.001-08:00

Sorry to the 3 people who look at this blog for the tardy post. The emphasis on Drink in Drink'n'Think was in full force last thursday. We would like to particularly thank the Douchebags for providing us with libations for the rest of the evening. The Nutcutters established themselves as the reigning kings of Drink'n'Think last week. Not only do they now share the most wins ever with Lazy Genius, they set a record for most correct answers...ever (43). Thanks to everyone who came out and supported DnT. We will be taking a break for Thanksgiving. See you in 2009.

Questions from the last DnT:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] What airline started out as the first crop-dusting outfit to battle boll weevils?

(Delta Airlines)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What nation has 1,000 permanent inhabitants and produces no export goods?
(Vatican City)

[SPORTS] What's an NBA player deemed to be if he's received the Maurice Podoloff Trophy?

(Most Valuable Player)

[LITERATURE] What famous author died on the day of the 2008 election at the age of 66?

(Michael Crichton)

[POLITICS] What outfit has troops known as Blue Helmets?

(The United Nations)

[MUSIC] What Allman Brothers anthem announces: "When it's time to leave I hope you'll understand"?
(Ramblin' Man)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Gerard Rocco Damiano, aka Jerry Gerard, who died last month at the age of 80, is most famous for launching the 1970s craze of porno chic with what movie?

(Deep Throat)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] Who appeared in Return of the Killer Tomatoes before he landed a role on ER?

(George Clooney)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Nine percent of Louisiana's voters cast ballots early for 2008 election, setting a new record for early voting in the state. How many people voted early?

A.) 253,000

B.) 278,000

C.) 266,000

(Secretary of State's Office says more than 266,000 people voted early)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What element begins with the letter "K"?
(Krypton)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] What president's face appears on the $100,000 bill?

(Woodrow Wilson)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What does the "SPF" stand for on sunscreen containers?
(Sun Protection factor)

[SPORTS] What former #1 pick in the NFL and current West Texas A&M quarterback coach resigned last week after asking a player for pain killers?

(Ryan Leaf)

[LITERATURE] What popular teen book series main characters include Kristy Thomas, Mary Anne Spier, Claudia Kishi, and Stacey McGill, who all live in the fictional town of Stoneybrook, Connecticut.

(The Baby-Sitters Club)

[POLITICS] What political movement got its name from the hill in Jerusalem boasting the Temple of Solomon?
(Zionism)

[MUSIC] What album slated to be officially released on November 23^rd has been two decades and $13 millions dollars in the making?

(Chinese Democracy by Guns’n’Roses)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Voters in California last week agreed to bankroll a multi-billion dollar high-speed railway system to connect what two major cities?

(San Francisco to Los Angeles)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What director cast himself as the voice of God in 1956's The Ten Commandments?

(Cecil B. De Mille.)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] According to the American Press, who was the first non-Louisiana U.S. senator to tour areas damaged by Hurricane Rita?

(Joe Biden)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Which one of the 5 boroughs of New York voted to secede from New York in 1993?

(Staten Island)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] What state has hosted the most nuclear tests in the U.S.?
(Nevada)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] How many books of the Bible are named for women?
(2 - Ruth and Esther)

[SPORTS] In 2008, what Texas Rangers shortstop became the first infielder to win a Gold Glove from a team with the worst fielding percentage in the majors?

(Michael Young)

[LITERATURE] What does the title character in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" hang around his neck?

(A dead albatross)

[POLITICS] What former secretary of state said: "The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes longer."?
(Henry Kissinger)

[MUSIC] What famous country singer was an inmate at San Quentin back in '58, when Johnny Cash performed his first concert there?

(Merle Haggard)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Who congratulated Barack Obama on his election win -- the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution?

(Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What two cartoon mice attempt every night to take over the world from their cages in Acme Labs?
(Pinky and the Brain)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What small city in Vermilion Parish is often referred to as "The most Cajun place on earth".

(Kaplan)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What items are usually found in a container called a quiver?

(arrows, darts, crossbow bolts)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] What's the submachine gun invented by Mikhail Kalashnikov in 1947 better known as?
(The AK47)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What Entertainment Tonight star's voice did the New England Journal of Medicine claim triggered epileptic seizures? (Also popularized in a Seinfeld episode)

(Mary Hart)

[SPORTS] What New Jersey Devils goaltender had surgery last Thursday to repair his torn left bicep near the elbow?

(Martin Brodeur)

[LITERATURE] What literary and cultural critic, once praised by Kurt Vonnegut as the smartest man who ever lived, died at age 69 last week?

(John Leonard)

[POLITICS] What does C-SPAN stand for?

(Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network)

[MUSIC] Who adorned his last piano with 350 pounds of rhinestones?
(Liberace)

[CURRENT EVENTS] What automaker shook an already embattled auto industry last week when it reported a 4.2 billion dollar loss and warned it is in danger of running out of cash in the coming months.

(GM)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What is the only feature film by Kevin Smith that is neither set nor shot in his native state, New Jersey?

(Zack and Miri make a porno)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Louisiana is divided into how many parishes?

A.) 64

B.) 66

C.) 63

(64)

[MISCELLANEOUS] When Thomas Edison died in 1931 his son Charles captured his dying breath in a sealed tube by request for what famous American?

(Henry Ford/ It is on display as we speak at the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit)

Next Drink'n'Think: November 13th @ Nate's

2008-10-31T05:50:00.000-07:00

Well, it was a rowdy welcome to our temporary home at Nate's Place. Considering we were without a microphone, battling hecklers, and inhaling second-hand smoke at an alarming level, the night was a success. Congratulations to the NutCutters! This team remained in control each round to take home the pot.

Hopefully we will have a mic for our next trivia night. Thanks to everyone for supporting us at our new venue. Until Rikenjaks or 710 are back up and running Drink'n'Think is on tour.

Questions from last night:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] Which Viking came first, Erik the Red or Leif Eriksson?
(Leif was in fact Erik's son)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What prominent military saint is the patron saint of herpes, syphilis, sheep and the Portuguese navy among others?
(St. George of Lydda)

[SPORTS] In what year did the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Kansas City Royals to capture their only World Series title in franchise history?
(1980)

[LITERATURE] In what Euripides' play does the main character enact revenge on her husband, Jason, by killing their children?
(Medea)

[POLITICS] During the presidential election, Barack Obama has been connected to Bill Ayers, co-founder of what radical left organization, which conducted a campaign of bombing public buildings during the 1960s and 1970s.
(The Weather Underground)

[MUSIC] Who wrote most of the lyrics for Elton John in the 70's?
(Bernie Taupin)

[CURRENT EVENTS] On October 10th, what state became the 3rd state to legalize gay marriage, behind Massachusetts and California?
(Connecticut)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] What academy award winning actresses’ mother and brother were fatally shot last week on Chicago’s south side?
(Jennifer Hudson)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Calcasieu residents could have participated in early voting at what location in Lake Charles?
(Second floor of the Calcasieu Courthouse at the Registrar of Voters Office)
[MISCELLANEOUS] According to Extreme Chocolate’s annual survey, What was the most popular Halloween candy in 2004?
A: Snickers, B: Candy Corn, C: M&Ms, D: Tootsie Rolls
(Candy Corn)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] On this day in 1938, this radio dramatist caused mass hysteria and frightened tens of thousands of listeners when the play War of the Worlds was aired on Radio?
(Orson Welles)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What planet is the brightest object in the sky, after the sun and moon?
(Venus.)

[SPORTS] Name 1 of the 3 New Orleans Saints players reportedly among several players who have violated the NFL steroids policy last week?
(Deuce McAllister, Will Smith and Charles Grant)

[LITERATURE] Gustave Flaubert's tale of this born seductress trapped in a dull village with a dull husband defined the techniques of the modern novel.
(Madame Bovary)

[POLITICS] Last week it was reported that in the early 1980s John McCain served on the advisory board of what organization? A group that was involved in funding militant anti-communists, espoused some anti-Semitic views, and had its charitable organization tax exemption revoked by the IRS.
(U.S. Council on World Freedom)

[MUSIC] What rock and roll legend trained as a beautician at the Poro College of Cosmetology in St. Louis in 1952 before entering the music scene?
(Chuck Berry)

[CURRENT EVENTS] A new study released in the Oct. 24th issue of the journal Science suggests that this daily activity may control blood pressure.
(Farting - relaxes the blood vessels to prevent hypertension)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What horror movie features a serial killer wearing a mask inspired by an Edvard Munch painting?
(Scream)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] The Lake Charles Police Department has seen an increase in incidents between officers and people under the influence of what drug since Hurricane Ike, according to Chief Don Dixon
(PCP)

[MISCELLANEOUS] According to legend, Jack-o-lanterns originated in Ireland to keep away spirits and ghosts. Originally, people placed candles in hollowed-out what?

A. Pumpkins B. Watermelons C. Turnips D. Potato

(Turnip)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] Before the 984 foot high Eiffel Tower was built in 1889, what was the tallest building in the world at 555 feet?
(The Washington Monument)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] How many men held the title of Pope during the 20th Century?
(9)
They were: Leo XIII (1878-1903), St. Pius X (1903-1914), Benedict XV (1914-1922), Pius XI (1922-1939), Pius XII (1939-1958), Blessed John XXIII (1958-1963), Paul VI (1963-1978), John Paul I (1978) and John Paul II (1978-2005). Leo XIII is included on this list because his papacy overlapped into the early 20th Century.

[SPORTS] On this day in 1974, Muhammad Ali knocked out what fighter in the eighth round of a 15-round bout in Kinshasa, Zaire ("rumble in the jungle") to regain his world heavyweight title?
(George Foreman)

[LITERATURE] What fiction writer’s body of work is largely incomplete, published after his death, and includes such stories as The Trial and The Castle?
(Franz Kafka)

[POLITICS] Who is the current president of Mexico?
(Felipe Calderón)

[MUSIC] What Zanzibar-born British musician was born on September 5, 1946 with the name Farrokh Bulsara?
(Freddie Mercury)

[CURRENT EVENTS] On October 1st, the U.S. Senate voted 86 to 13 to end the ban on trading nuclear fuel with what country?
(India) The ban was imposed by the U.S. in 1974 after India tested a nuclear weapon.

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What 80's Pro-Wrestler was turned into a G.I. Joe character?
(Sgt. Slaughter)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Last week, members of the Department of Environmental Quality Statewide Committee explained to city officials that Lake Charles is one point away from not complying with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standards regarding what type of pollution?
(Smog – air standards for ozone/ Lake Charles has a 75 rating, with 76 being the level for "non-
attainment")

[MISCELLANEOUS] According to secret files made public by the National Archives in London,
two U.S. fighter planes were ordered to shoot down what over the English countryside during the Cold War?
(A UFO/ One pilot, Milton Torres, now 77, said it spent periods motionless in the sky before
reaching estimated speeds of more than 7,600 mph)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] Name 1 of the 3 presidents who have died on July 4th?
(John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in 1826, and James Monroe in 1831)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What weather phenomenon is measured by the Beaufort scale?
(Wind)

[SPORTS] Oklahoma City will debut their new NBA basketball franchise this year under what name?
(Oklahoma City Thunder)

[LITERATURE] Although the poem consists of over 30 characters, the Illiad’s main character is who?
(Achilles)

[POLITICS] Who is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations?
(Ban Ki-moon)

[MUSIC] Who was the only female solo artist to have a #1 hit single without releasing an album?
(Lisa Loeb. She had a #1 hit with the song Stay. Stay landed on her debut album "Tails" in 1995)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Last Friday it was announced that this person will retire as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the end of the year?
(Stephen Hawkings)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What famous horror series, beginning at Camp Crystal Lake, is being resurrected in 2009?
(Friday the 13th)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What is the official state dog of Louisiana?
(The Catahoula Leopard Dog, often called the Catahoula Hound)

[MISCELLANEOUS] A dime has how many ridges around the edge?

A.) 115 B.) 118 C.) 123

(118)

Drink'n'Think: October 30th, 8:00 P.M. @ Nate's Place

2008-10-26T09:44:00.001-07:00

We are back. Come on out and join us at our new venue: Nate's Place. We have a new night (Thursday) and a new time (trivia starts at 8:00 p.m.). Everything else remains the same.

See you Thursday!

We are on hiatus...

2008-10-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

until the downtown can keep a venue open for more than one year at at time. For those of you who don't know, 710 is changing owners and will be closed until further notice. In the meantime, we are exploring other options.

We will keep you posted through email and this blog.

Next Drink'n'Think: Monday, October 27th [AT 710]

2008-10-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

We concluded our final Drink'n'Think at Rikenjaks. Although it was only 3 rounds, we ended the night in our first tie. Etc. and Sons of Son equaled each other through 10 tie breaker questions before it was called a tie. Thanks to everyone for playing.

We will be trying out our new venue 710! We will keep our loyal participants updated through this blog and our email list.

Here are the questions from last night:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] What plant's 1986 meltdown was dubbed "Russian Roulette" by nuclear power critics?
(Chernobyl)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What religion claims to have been founded in the 1950s by the world's greatest salesman J. R. "Bob" Dobbs?

(The Church of the SubGenius)

[SPORTS] What basketball team was the first in major league sports to be named for an insect?
(The Charlotte Hornets)

[LITERATURE] What is the name of the the family in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath?

(The Joads)

[POLITICS] Two weeks ago, the vice presidential debate was held at what university?

(Washington University in St. Louis)

[MUSIC] What band will be playing the halftime show at Superbowl XLII in February?

(Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Recently, search and rescue workers found the wreckage of this millionaire’s airplane, but no sign of the adventurer-aviator body.

(Steven Fossett)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] What director of “House of a 1000 Corpses” was also a production assistant on Pee-Wee’s Play House?

(Rob Zombie)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] On October 3rd, Louisiana recorded its first death this year from what virus?

(West Nile virus)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What's short for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation"?
(LASER)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] What optical aids was nearsighted model Grace Robin the first to show off in 1930?

(contact lenses)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What planet is named after the Greek god who personified the sky?

(Uranus)

[SPORTS] What homerun hitter, who currently plays for the Oakland Athletics, is known as "The Big Hurt"?
(Frank Thomas)

[LITERATURE] Blindness is a 2008 dramatic thriller film that is an adaptation of the 1995 novel of the same name by what author?

(José Saramago)

[POLITICS] What Irish political movement is named after a phrase meaning "we ourselves"?
(Sinn Fein)

[MUSIC] This band will reunite next year when they invade the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia for a trio of shows on March 6-8th, 2009.

(Phish)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Last month, professor George Kakoma, the composer of what country’s National Anthem, sued his government for the violation of his copyright for over 40 years.

(Uganda)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] In the 2003 movie Coffee and Cigarettes, name 1 of the 2 rappers who sip herbal tea and have a conversation with Bull Murray about the dangers of nicotine.

(GZA or RZA)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Name any 1 of the 4 candidates who ran for Calcasieu Parish District Judge, Division H

(Cynthia Clay Guillory – Lands

Lydia Guillory Lee

Ron Ware

Assistant District Attorney Sharon Wilson)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What's the University of Paris more commonly called?

(The Sorbonne)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] What type of vessel was powered by a hand-cranked propeller when first used in combat in 1176?
(A submarine)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What religious movement accepts both Jesus Christ and Haile Selassie as incarnations of God, considers Marcus Garvey a prophet, and celebrates the spiritual use of marijuana?

(The Rastafari movement)

[SPORTS] What football league had expansion teams in Baltimore, Las Vegas and Shreveport for the 1994 season?
(The Canadian Football League)

[LITERATURE] What is the name of Tom Sawyer's love interest?

(Becky Thatcher)

[POLITICS] Who is the current Secretary of Defense?

(Robert M. Gates)

[MUSIC] With the Red Hot Chili Peppers on a hiatus, bassist Flea has enrolled in what university’s music program hoping to better understand the “math and academics” of musical structure.

(University of Southern California)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Two decades after his single hit the top spot in 16 countries, this singer

has become a surprise contender for best act ever at this year's MTV Europe Music Awards.

(Rick Astley)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What actress portrayed Jen Lindley on the television show “Dawson’s Creek”?

(Michelle Williams)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What fashon designer, who was born in 1927 in Haynesville, Louisiana, became one of New York’s top designers and designed the wedding gown worn by Lynda Bird Johnson, daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson?
(Geoffrey Beene)

[MISCELLANEOUS] This month, news went around that this Wild Wild West actor is in talks with Marvel to direct the first-ever feature film starring Thor

(Kenneth Branagh)

Tie-Breaker Questions

[HISTORY] What suntan lotion was developed by Dr. Ben Green in 1944 to protect pilots who bailed out over the Pacific? It is still sold today.
(Coppertone)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What do leukemia sufferers have too many of?
(White blood cells, or leukocyte).

[SPORTS] What NHL team plays in an arena called The Pond?
(The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim)

[LITERATURE] In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, why is the Earth destroyed?

(To make way for an intergalactic expressway)

[POLITICS] McCain graduated from what college in 1958?

(U.S. Naval Academy/ Navy’s undergraduate college)

[MUSIC] Whose pop parody career includes the hits Addicted to Spuds and White and Nerdy?
(Weird Al Yankovic).

[CURRENT EVENTS] Earlier this month, it was reported that this pop singer’s is suing her ex-boyfriend for trying to sell a sex tape the couple made together for $9 million.

(Brittney Spears – Louisiana’s own)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What 1987 movie’s tagline read: She thought babysitting was easy money - until she started hanging out with the Andersons?

(Adventure’s in babysitting)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Name 1 of Louisiana’s 5 most popular baby names for a girl in 2005.
Madison
Emma
Emily
Hannah
Olivia.

[MISCELLANEOUS] Awarded by the editors of the Annals of Improbable Research, Deborah Anderson received a chemistry prize for a 1985 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that found this beverage is an effective spermicide .

(Coca-Cola)

Next Drink'n'Think: October 14th

2008-10-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

What a night! With the financial bailout plan in limbo, the good people of Lake Charles spent their money freely last night. We almost eclipsed our highest pot ever as the winner walked with $102. Speaking of the winner, Etc. barely escaped with a victory Karma Is A Bitch. A big thank you to everyone for coming out and supporting Drink'n'Think. We expect to see all of you back on October 14th!

However, I can make no guarantees that Road House will be playing on the television over the bar in closed captioning.

Here are the questions from last night:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] Who is credited with “discovering” Cuba in the 15th century?
Cristóbal Colón (aka Christopher Columbus) claimed Cuba for Spain on
October 29th, 1492

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] A new University of Georgia study suggests that online social networking sites such as Facebook might be useful tools for detecting what psychological disorder?
(Narcissism)

[SPORTS] What major league baseball team recently clinched the franchise’s very first playoff berth?
(Tampa Bay Rays)

[LITERATURE] This author, who penned Infinite Jest, hung himself on September 12th at the age of 46.
(David Foster Wallace)

[POLITICS] What private group is suing Dick Cheney and the Executive Office of the President in an effort to ensure that no presidential records are destroyed at the end of the Bush Administration?
(Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington)

[MUSIC] What former American Idol winner [runner-up] recently came out of the closet?
(Clay Aiken)

[CURRENT EVENTS] In two days, 34 skydivers from 14 countries will attempt to parachute jump from an aircraft flying 465 feet above the summit of what mountain? The first attempt in the history of the world.
(Mount Everest)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] After multiple delays, Mel Brooks' cartooned sequel to his Star Wars spoof film finally aired in the United States. What is the name of the spoof?
(Spaceballs)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] A recent audit shows that that THIS Parish should repay FEMA 3.4 million dollars it received to shelter victims of Hurricane Katrina three years ago.
(Lafayette)

[MISCELLANEOUS] People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals recently sent a letter to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, cofounders of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc., urging them to replace cow's milk they use in their ice cream products with this substitute?
(Human breast milk - PETA believes it would lessen the suffering of dairy cows and their babies on factory farms and benefit human health)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] On this day in 1452 the very first book was published on a printing press. What was it?
Johann Guttenberg's Bible

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Who is the founder and president of Focus on the Family, a group dedicated to defending the God-ordained institution of the family and promoting biblical truths worldwide?
(James Dobson)

[SPORTS] This unpopular Detroit Lions president and GM was fired recently, after compiling a 31-84 record and never reaching the playoffs.
(Matt Millen)

[LITERATURE] A library in Western France recently discovered an undocumented music fragment among their collection that has been verified as the work of this composer?
(Mozart)

[POLITICS] This Liberal Democratic Party candidate was recently elected the new Prime Minister of Japan.
(Taro Aso)

[MUSIC] What 1980s rap act, along with Metallica and the Stooges, are among the nine nominees for next year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class?
(Run D.M.C.)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Which 1 of the 3 richest men in the world came to the rescue of Goldman Sachs with a $5 billion cash infusion last week?
(Warren Buffet)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What show recently won the Emmy for “outstanding drama series”?
(Mad Men)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Worried that welfare costs are rising as the number of taxpayers declines, Louisiana state representative John LaBruzzo (R-Metairie) announced he is studying a plan to pay poor women $1,000 to do what?
(Have their fallopian tubes tied/ Sterilization)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Cadillac recently announced the world premiere of this vehicle, the world's first fuel-saving hybrid applied to a large luxury SUV.
(Escalade Hybrid)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] What does the D in D-Day stand for?
(Designated) It stands for the Designated Day for Operation Overlord,
the code name for the Allied invasion of Northern France, during World War II.

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] The average whale shark has how many rows of teeth?
A.) 200
B.) 300
C.) 400

(300)

[SPORTS] The welterweight showdown between Manny Pacquiao and this boxer, scheduled for December, has sold $17 million dollars worth of tickets. The total makes this fight the second-biggest gate in boxing history.
(Oscar De La Hoya).

[LITERATURE] Today this author, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 and authored “Night”, turns 80 years old.
(Elie Wiesel)

[POLITICS] Earlier this month, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart sent a cease and desist notice to the McCain-Palin campaign over their use of what song?
(Barracuda)

[MUSIC] What Pop singer was recently arrested in a public toilet in London for alleged drug possession?
(George Michael)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Recently, a nuclear-powered flagship set off for Venezuela with a submarine destroyer and two support vessels in this country’s first naval mission in Latin America since the end of the Cold War.
(Russia)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] George Takei recently married his partner of 21 years, Brad Altman, in Los Angeles. What character on Star Trek did George Takei play?
(Mr. Sulu/ Captain Hikaru Sulu)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What company recently pleaded guilty in federal court for violating environmental laws in connection with the massive 2006 oil spill that closed down 20 miles of the Calcasieu River and three area lakes for weeks?
(Citgo)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Big Brother, a 4-year-old elephant, recently completed rehab in China, after illegal poachers fed him bananas spiked with what drug in order to control him?
(Heroin)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] What city was the first capital?
(New York City) In 1789, New York City was selected as the first capital of the United States, but just a year later the capital was moved to Philadelphia.

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What religious group believes that in 1914 the time of the Gentiles ended and Jesus became King of God's heavenly Kingdom?
(Jehovah’s Witnesses)

[SPORTS] David Kalb, a warehouse worker from California, used some trick shots and benefiting from some lucky misses, recently defeated this NBA star in a game of H-O-R-S-E.
(LeBron James)

[LITERATURE] Choke comes out in theaters this weekend and is based on the novel by what author?
(Chuck Palahniuk)

[POLITICS] Sarah Palin received her Bachelor of Science degree in communications-journalism from what university in 1987?
(University of Idaho)

[MUSIC] This former Blink – 182 drummer received second and third degree burns last week when his Learjet crashed in South Carolina.
(Travis Barker)

[CURRENT EVENTS] The number of babies in this country hospitalized due to adulterated milk products and infant formula reaches 13,000 last week.
(China)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What was the Saved By The Bell television series with Hayley Mills originally called?
(Good Morning, Miss Bliss)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Name 1 of Louisiana’s 2 state songs.
(Give Me Louisiana and You Are My Sunshine)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Next year, this specific U.S currency will be getting a new look, the first changes to this monetary unit in 50 years.
(The penny)

Next Drink'n'Think: September 30th

2008-09-17T16:53:00.000-07:00

It was a small gathering on Tuesday as Lake Charles recovered from Hurricane Ike. Team Etc. walked with an eye-popping $27. Hopefully Drink'n'Think will be back to Category 3 strength at the next show.

Questions:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] Though she let this slip in a 2002 autobiography, last month the U.S. national archives confirmed her participation as a spy during the Second World War.
(Julia Childs)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Born in Holland on April 18th, 1380, Saint Lydwina of Schiedam is the patron saint of what activity?
(ice skating or roller Skating)

[SPORTS] During the 2008 Olympics, the 12-years old record of Michael Johnson in 200m run was broken by who?
(Usain Bolt)

[LITERATURE] What MIT professor won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize in fiction for his debut novel, “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao”?
(Junot Diaz)

[POLITICS] Joe Biden, announced as Obama’s vice presidential choice last month, is a senator from what state?
(Delaware)

[MUSIC] “Souled Out” is the single off of the new solo album from this Bright Eyes lead singer?
(Conor Oberst)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Microsoft is paying what comedian 10 million dollars to appear in their advertisements with Bill Gates?
(Jerry Seinfeld)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] Before directing Starship Troopers in 1997, Paul Verhoeven directed what move starring both Arnold Schwarzenneger and Sharon Stone?
(Total Recall)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Pinnacle Entertainment's top man says work will begin in "a few weeks" on the first phase of this $350 million project in Lake Charles.
(Sugar Cane Bay Resort)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Starring Bill Boyd, this show was the first western series on television.
(Hopalong Cassidy/ aired on November 28, 1948)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] On this day in 1969, what was installed at Chemical Bank in New York City for the first time in America.
(The first ATM)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] A new survey of this city's seismic history going back to the late 17th century revealed that an earthquake seems to be overdue, putting into question the future of the Tappan Zee Bridge.
(New York City)

[SPORTS] Who won the men's singles tennis competition at the Olympic Games in 2008?
(Rafael Nadal)

[LITERATURE] Although he was married for 64 years, this author - who penned “The Heart of the Matter” and “The Quiet American” - slept with numerous prostitutes and conducted a sequence of brief affairs in addition to keeping four long-term mistresses.
(Graham Greene)

[POLITICS] Who the Libertarian Party's presidential nominee for the upcoming election?
(Bob Barr)

[MUSIC] What singer, who turned 50 last month, recently opened the "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales?
(Madonna)

[CURRENT EVENTS] What technological product is expected to sell 3.5 million units in Russia over the next two years, according to market sources familiar with new deals being struck by Russian manufacturers?
(iphone)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What actor played Luke Brower in Growing Pain for 22 episodes between 1991-1992?
(Leonardo Di Caprio)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] According to the newly released 2007 Census statistics for Louisiana, what parish is the most populated parish in Louisiana?
(East Baton Rouge Parish – 430, 317)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What is the most widely traded spice in the world, making up close to 1/5 of all spice imports? [Warning: salt is not considered a spice]
(Black Pepper/ Peppercorns)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] What company name was created by Alice Stead Binney, who took the French words for chalk and oily and combined them?
(craie + oleaginous = Crayola)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] This religion is the native religion of Japan and was once its state religion.
(Shinto)

[SPORTS] The U.S. basketball team beat Spain to claim the gold medal, but who won the bronze medal?
(Argentina)

[LITERATURE] What horror author made his feature film acting debut in Creepshow, playing Jordy Verrill, a backwoods redneck who, after touching a fallen meteor in hopes of selling it, grows moss all over his body?
(Stephen King)

[POLITICS] Who is the current prime minister of Spain?
(José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero)

[MUSIC] Recently, while filming a movie in Louisiana, this musician’s Long Island residence, housing his ex-girlfriend and son, suspiciously burned down?
(50 Cent)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Last month, Flight 5022 crashed immediately after takeoff from Barajas Airport in what country, killing approximately 150 people on board.
(Spain)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Vin Diesel recently reported that he will be directing a 20 minute prequel to what film, co-starring Paul Walker and the fourth film in the Universal franchise.
(Fast and the Furious)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What former Louisiana state representative, who regularly carried baskets of peaches to other legislators during his 16 years at the State Capitol, died last month at the age of 82.
(Rep. Julius A. Blount)

[MISCELLANEOUS] The Goodyear Blimp is the collective name for a fleet of blimps operated by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Today there are three blimps in the fleet. Name one.
(Spirit of America, based in Carson, California)
(Spirit of Goodyear, based in Suffield Township, Ohio)
(Spirit of Innovation, based in Pompano Beach, Florida)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] Modeled on intelligence tests administered by the U.S. Army in World War I, the College Board first administered the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in what decade?
(The 1920s - June 1926)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] The type of mirror that resembles the inner surface of a spoon is called what?
(concave)

[SPORTS] In 1993, what NFL team made off-season trades for Joe Montana and Marcus Allen?
(Kansas City Chiefs)

[LITERATURE] This children’s author who penned “A Light in the Attic” also wrote a rap version of Shakespeare's Hamlet that was published in Playboy magazine in 1998.
(Shel Silverstein)

[POLITICS] The symbol of the donkey for the democratic party is historically linked to what president who ran for president in 1828, and was labeled a "jackass" for his populist views and his slogan, "Let the people rule."
(Andrew Jackson)

[MUSIC] In 1961, this musician was the first artist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
(Hank Williams)

[CURRENT EVENTS] This team held on for a 4-3 win over Lake Charles, Louisiana in the consolation game of the Little League World Series
(Japan)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Actor Matthew Modine said the following line in what 1987 film: “I wanted to meet interesting and stimulating people of an ancient culture, and kill them."?
(Private Joker/ Full Metal Jacket)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] This comedian, whose most famous movie role was Javier in “Born in East L.A.,” is performing at the Isle of Capri on September 13th.
(Paul Rodriguez)

[MISCELLANEOUS] 31.1 million viewers watched Phelp’s break the record. However, NBC said it still was not as large an audience as on Saturday, Feb. 24, 1990, when 31.4 million viewers watched what television show?
(The Golden Girls spin-off Empty Nest starring Richard Mulligan)

Next Drink'n'Think: September 16th

2008-09-10T18:37:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Gustav knocked us off our game a few weeks ago. However, we will return September 16th to rain down trivia goodness on Lake Charles.

We're Famous...Well, Sort Of

2008-08-26T13:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Shea for writing us up the McNeese Contraband. See full article here

Last semester on occasional Tuesday nights, a group of McNeese faculty took over Rikenjaks for their own devices. Now the group, Drink n Think, offers trivia competitions every other Tuesday night. Professors Alex Scorpan and Josh Finnell put on an entertaining four round show where competitors pay three dollars to test their knowledge on subjects ranging from local events to Russian utopian literature. The winning team receives two thirds of the collected fees. The Romanian Trivia Czar, Scorpan, verbally assaults players with witty humor injected into questions. Students of McNeese, here is your chance to show the faculty members that attend this event that you actually do possess the ability to think and express yourself intelligently.

Next Drink'n'Think: September 2nd

2008-08-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Dirty Briefs for taking home the pot yesterday after several, I mean several, tries. In addition to winning for the first time they also managed to set a Drink'n'Think record for most total points scored (41). Well done. Thanks to Shea for being our first ever Drink'n'Think intern and for writing us up in the paper! Of course, as always, thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting D'n'T.

Questions from last night:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] Born in Cypress on this day in 1963, he is best known as Jesse from the band “Jesse and the Rippers.”
(John Stamos)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What is the world’s largest body of water?
(The Pacific Ocean - 155,556,651 sq km)

[SPORTS] This Cincinatti reds outfielder was recently traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for three minor league prospects.
(Adam Dunn)

[LITERATURE] This Russian novelist, dramatist and historian, whose most popular work was the Gulag Archipelago, passed away on August 3rd.
(Alexander Solzhenitsyn)

[POLITICS] In an August 8th interview with Bob Woodruff, this former presidential candidate admitted to having an extra-marital affair with former campaign worker Rielle Hunter?
(John Edwards)

[MUSIC] This former Pantera guitarist, who was killed onstage at a Damageplan show on December 8, 2004 in Ohio, recently received a tribute at Ozzfest.
(Dimebag Darryl)

[CURRENT EVENTS] One of The Original Kings of Comedy and co-starring in Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen, he died on August 9th from complications of pneumonia.
(Bernie Mac)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] This man tight-roped walked across the top of Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louisiana Superdome, and the Twin-Towers (before their destruction) and was recently featured in the documentary “Man On A Wire.”
(Phillip Pettit)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Earlier this month, Louisiana became the last state to outlaw what? A move that enthusiasts say marks the end of a rich rural tradition.
(Cockfighting or rooster fights)

[MISCELLANEOUS] The scholarly study of flags is known by what term?
(Vexillology)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] What former beekeeper scaled Mount Everest?
(Sir Edmund Hillary)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What religion was Adolf Hitler raised in and was reported to profess?
(Roman Catholicism)

[SPORTS] Who did Bobby Fischer beat to win the world chess championship in 1972?
(Boris Spassky)

[LITERATURE] Whose books include Breakfast of Champions, Cat’s Cradle, and Slapstick?
(Kurt Vonnegut)

[POLITICS] In his new book “The Way of the World,” released on August 5, what journalist claims that George Bush knew Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction and ordered the CIA to forge documents linking Saddam Houssein to al-Qaeda?
(Ron Suskind)

[MUSIC] Best known for his work for the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft, he passed away August 10th at the age of 65.
(Isaac Hayes)

[CURRENT EVENTS] On the opening day of the Olympics, Russia invaded what country – claiming a humanitarian intervention.
(Georgia)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What television show starring Claire Danes ran for only 19 episodes in 1994 before being cancelled?
(My So-Called Life)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What singer, scheduled to play at the Rosa Hart Theatre on March 13th, yelled over the microphone at Woodstock: “The New York Thruway is closed, man!”
(Arlo Guthrie)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What book was Mark David Chapman carrying when he shot John Lennon?
(Catcher in the Rye)/ He was recently denied parole for a 5th time this last week.

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] What plan to rebuild Europe was unveiled on June 5, 1947?
(The Marshall Plan)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] A toxic food additive, what does MSG stand for?
(Monosodium Glutamate)

[SPORTS] How many lanes does an Olympic swimming pool have?
(8)

[LITERATURE] Who was Don Quixote’s sidekick?
(Sancho Panza)

[POLITICS] The third of Pakistan's four provincial assemblies passed a resolution last week calling for this president to step down or face impeachment.
(President Pervez Musharraf)

[MUSIC] What song features the lyrics, “And my time is a piece of wax fallin on a termite
That’s chokin on the splinters”?
(Loser by Beck)

[CURRENT EVENTS] He recently won the 2008 PGA Championship, becoming the first European to do so in 78 years.
(Pádraig Harrington)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What musician did Cate Blanchett play in the 2007 film, “I’m Not There”?
(Bob Dylan)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] This team become the first United States team to earn a berth in the 2008 Little League Baseball World Series by rallying for an 8-7 extra-inning win over Lamar American earlier this month.
(South Lake Charles)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What suspect in the game of Clue teaches college?
(Professor Plum)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] What was stormed in Paris in 1789?
(The Bastille)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What’s destroyed in Genesis 19:24?
(Sodom and Gomorrah)

[SPORTS] What U.S. female gymnast competed in Bejing with a broken ankle?
(Chellsie Memmel)

[LITERATURE] What country lifted a ban on Aristotle, Shakespeare, and Dickens on February 11th, 1978?
(China)

[POLITICS] How many days did Bush stay at the Olympic games in Bejing?
(4)

[MUSIC] This musician has garnered much interest from the press for his "Fifty States Project", his aim being to complete an album about each of the states of the United States.
(Sufjan Stevens/ he has only completed Illinois and Michigan)

[CURRENT EVENTS] He turned 82 last Wednesday, still a world and national figure even though he has not been seen in public since falling ill two years ago.
(Fidel Castro)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Who’s Warren Beatty’s sister?
(Shirley MacLaine)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] This town in Louisiana is known as the “Frog Capital of the World.”
(Rayne)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What is the square root of one-quarter?
(one-half)

Next Drink'n'Think: August 19th

2008-08-06T10:41:00.001-07:00

Thanks to a small, but loyal, group of competitors last night at Drink'n'Think. Congratulations to Etc. for emerging from a dual with the Dirty Briefs to claim the pot. We have survived the summer and look forward to swelling crowds with the return of the McNeese hopeful.

Here are the questions from last night:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] On this day in 1962, what famous actress was found dead in her Los Angeles home?
(Marilyn Monroe)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Over the centuries several Bible Scholars have concluded that this fruit, a product of non-sexual reproduction much like Eve, was the real forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.
(Banana)

[SPORTS] What cyclist won the 2008 Tour de France?
(Carlos Sastre)

[LITERATURE] Winner of 8 Oscars, Gone With the Wind was adapted from a novel written by what author?
(Margaret Mitchell)

[POLITICS] Last week, Israel’s Prime Minister announced he will stand down in two months, saying that a corruption case involving him is hurting his family. What is his name?
(Ehud Olmert)

[MUSIC] "Pass the Dutchie" was a hit song for this group in the year 1982?
(Musical Youth)

[CURRENT EVENTS] At a farm in Mexico last week, U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspectors found what vegetable contaminated with a rare strain of Salmonella bacteria?
(serrano peppers or chili peppers)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] Appearing along with Elijah Wood, what movie did Scarlett Johansson first appear?
(North)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] The Louisiana Swashbucklers concluded the first perfect season in Intense Football League history with a 66-35 victory over what team in Intense Bowl IV last week?
(the Corpus Christi Hammerheads)

[MISCELLANEOUS] How many U.S. states start with the letter “m”?
(8 – Michigan, Minnesota, Main, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Maryland)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] Tipping the scales at over 300 pounds, this U.S. President often got stuck in the White House's bathtub.
(William Howard Taft)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] How many lenses are in a dragonfly’s eye? a. 3,000 b. 30,000 c. 300,000
(30,000)

[SPORTS] Recently, the New York Yankess acquired what outfielder form the Pittsburgh Pirates in a trade?
(Xavier Nady)

[LITERATURE] in 1971, this Chilean Poet won the Nobel Prize in Literature, dying two years later in 1973.
(Pablo Neruda)

[POLITICS] Last week, what republican senator from Alaska appeared in federal court to answer charges that he lied about hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from an oil services contractor?
(Ted Stevens)

[MUSIC] Control is a 2007 black-and-white biopic film about the life and death of what former lead singer of Joy Division.
(Ian Curtis)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Just before the Olympics are about to start, seven athletes from what country have been provisionally suspended for doping offences?
(Russia)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Care Bears live in their kingdom in the clouds, called what?
(Care-a-Lot)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Closed since Hurricane Rita struck, this building located on Kirby Street is undergoing a rebirth of sorts as work began last week to reopen the 52-year-old building.
(the YMCA)

[MISCELLANEOUS] It was the need to protect cigarettes and hard candies from moisture that led to the development of what common kitchen product in 1903?
(Aluminum Foil, developed by Richard S. Reynolds)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] Which became a state first, Alaska or Hawaii?
(Alaska became the 49th state in 1958, Hawaii the 50th in 1959)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] In 2004, Golden Palace Casino paid $28,000 in an Ebay auction to purchase what item, bearing an image of the Virgin Mary.
(a toasted cheese sandwhich)

[SPORTS] On Saturday, this seven-time pro bowl cornerback from the Washington Redskins was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame.
(Darryl Green)

[LITERATURE] Ernest Thayer wrote what famous baseball poem subtitled, "A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888"?
(Casey at the Bat)

[POLITICS] Last month President Bush approved the execution of Ronald. A. Gray. This is the first execution in 51 years for someone of what type of classification?
(Military personnel or soldier)

[MUSIC] Taking place in Chicago, Illinois over the weekend, this music festival featured Bloc Party and Radiohead.
(Lollapalooza)

[CURRENT EVENTS] According to the New York Times, The United States has significantly underreported the number of what each year, with a recent study showing estimates to be 40 percent higher than previously thought.
(new H.I.V. infections occurring nationally)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISOIN) In the television show “Arrested Development” this woman who plays Gob's accidental wife is, in fact, Will Arnett's (the actor who plays Gob) wife.
(Amy Poehler)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] This man, born in Baton Rouge on June 23, 1956 is best known as a judge on a popular reality television show.
(Randy Jackson)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Al Capone's business card said he was what kind of legitimate business man?
(A furniture dealer)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] This man’s reward-seeking cousin, Robert Ford, shot him in the back of the head on April 3, 1882 – at the age of 34.
(Jesse James)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] On August 1 what was visible from a narrow corridor through northern Canada, Greenland, central Russia, eastern Kazakhstan, western Mongolia and China?
(a Solar Eclipse)

[SPORTS] This coach will try to lead the USA basketball team to gold for the first time since 2000 in the upcoming Olympics.
(Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski)

[LITERATURE] What female poets’s home can be visited at 280 Main Street, Ahmerst, Massachusetts?
(Emily Dickinson)

[POLITICS] Last month, in an attempt to end a 15 billion dollar budget crisis, this state’s governor fired 22,000 state workers and cut the pay of 200,000 more.
(Arnold Schwarzenegger – California)

[MUSIC] Before forming Megadeath in retaliation, Dave Mustaine was kicked out of what band?
(Metallica)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Last week, Vietnam's capital absorbed the neighboring province of Ha Tay, tripling its area and doubling its population. What is the name of the capital?
(Hanoi)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] This 2007 animated feature is a coming-of-age story of a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic Revolution.
(Persepolis)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Donning an LSU football jersey, this rap star recently made a cameo appearance at a Rotary Club Meeting in Baton Rouge with Les Miles
(Snoop Dogg)

[MISCELLANEOUS] This television duo was named after the cop and the taxi driver in Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
(Bert and Ernie)

Yeah, what he said. August 5.

2008-07-31T11:15:00.001-07:00

Next Drink'n'Think: August 5th

2008-07-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

While My Guitar Hero Gently Weeps emerged from the pack in the last round to take home $84 last night. Congratulations.

Here are the questions:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] Henry Ford sold his Model T from 1908 until 1927. The Model T was also known by what famous nickname?
(Tin Lizzie)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What religion’s ultimate reality consists of moving through eight dynamics, culminating in the attainment of Infinity?
(Scientology)

[SPORTS] Who hit a record 28 homers in the first round of the All-Star Home Run Derby?
(Josh Hamilton)

[LITERATURE] “Bright Shiny Morning” is the new novel from what discredited memoir writer?
(James Frey)

[POLITICS] What country’s government recently collapsed after failing to heal a rift between French- and Dutch-speaking voters that may threaten to split the country?
(Belgium)

[MUSIC] What hip-hop label that released seminal gangster rap albums by Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, has recently been auctioned for $24 million?
(Death Row Records)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Laying the blame on international sanctions, what country’s annual rate of inflation has surged to 2,200,000%, according to official figures?
(Zimbabwe)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] The 2001 box-office bomb “Kate & Leopold” starred Hugh Jackman and what actress?
(Meg Ryan)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] The U.S. Census Bureau reports that this city was the fastest-growing large city in the nation last year.
(New Orleans)

[MISCELLANEOUS] Though considered a standard of any respectable business in 2008, on March 15, 1985, Symbolics, Inc. was the first company to do what?
(register their domain name as a dot com – Symbolics.com)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] In 1938, President Roosevelt helped establish the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis which today is known as what organization?
(The March of Dimes).

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Researchers in Melbourne believe they have discovered a major breakthrough in the fight against what disease - that kills between one and three million people annually and is caused by protozoan parasites?
(Malaria)

[SPORTS] What Barcelona forward signed with AC Milan last week in a deal that is worth €21 million?
(Ronaldinho)

[LITERATURE] What author of “The Neon Bible” and “A Confederacy of Dunces” was born in New Orleans in 1937?
(John Kennedy Toole)

[POLITICS] Last week, George W. Bush lifted a White House ban on what, urging lawmakers to follow suit?
(offshore oil drilling)

[MUSIC] Contained in the album “Let it Bleed”, which song written by The Rolling Stones was based upon the confessions of Albert De Salvo, the alleged Boston Strangler?
(Midnight Rambler)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Last week, the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court formally requested an arrest warrant last for Omar Hassan al-Bashir, on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the past five years of bloodshed in what country?
(Sudan)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Although cut from the feature film, this actor still appeared on the 1992 videotape box cover for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and also acted in the TV series.
(Seth Green)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Who said the following statement last week, “We've said all along that the YMCAs, the Lions Clubs, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts - all of these are wonderful programs. That doesn't necessarily mean they should be getting state funding.”
(Gov. Jindal after vetoing $16 million in state projects)

[MISCELLANEOUS] This word refers to a type of sofa, a type of overcoat, a brand of cigarettes, and a city in England. What is it?
(Chesterfield)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] What game played by children and adults for centuries as a test of strength became an official event at the second modern Olympic Games in 1900? However, it's time as an official Olympic event was short-lived and it was last played at the Olympics at the 1920 Games.
(Tug of War)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What religious group, considered heretics by orthodox Christians, hold a belief in universal salvation and reject the concept of the Holy Trinity?
(Universalist Unitarians)

[SPORTS] CBS Sports will not bring back what college basketball analyst for another season, after 27 years on the job?
(Billy Packer)

[LITERATURE] In a life seen by many as tragic, this poet produced some of the most wrenching confessional verse of her era in a career that was cut short by her suicide in 1963.
(Sylvia Plath)

[POLITICS] Testifying before the Senate Banking Committee last week, who sounded the warning that rising prices for energy and food are elevating inflation risks?
(Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke)

[MUSIC] What music legend’s twin brother, Jesse Garon, died at birth?
(Elvis)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Steven Page, the singer and guitarist from what band, best known for their hit singles "One Week", "Pinch Me” was recently arrested on drug charges in upstate New York.
(Barenaked Ladies)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Currently, the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California consists of 2,500 stars embedded into the sidewalk. On February, 9, 1960, the very first star was awarded to what actress?
(Joanne Woodward)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] This actor, who plays George Bush in the upcoming Oliver Stone biopic of the US president, was arrested two weeks ago along with six others after police broke up a brawl at the Stray Cat Pub in Shreveport, Louisiana where the movie is being filmed.
(Josh Brolin)

[MISCELLANEOUS] First appearing on the world-stage in 1959 and invented by Ruth Handler, this doll’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts?
(Barbie)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] Which Greek physician from the 4th Century B.C. is known as the father of medicine?
(Hippocrates)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Which planet has the largest moon?
(Jupiter, and it's called Ganymede, 3.5 times the volume of Earth's moon)

[SPORTS] What former St. Louis Rams head coach will be the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2008-2009 football season?
(Mike Martz)

[LITERATURE] In this 1865 classic novel, a minor thief tries to bury his past and become a respectable town mayor, but the police inspector won't let him. Name the author.
(Les Miserables/ Victor Hugo)

[POLITICS] Infamous for his use of police terror and the frequent mass murders of his own people, he was Time's "Man of the Year" in 1939 and 1942.
(Stalin)

[MUSIC] This film premiered in December 1977, and the soundtrack album became the biggest selling of all time. Which film?
(Saturday Night Fever)

[CURRENT EVENTS] This airline recently reported a hefty loss in the second quarter despite a strong increase in sales, pushing it into the red for more than $7 billion since the start of the year.
(Delta)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] In 1937, Walt Disney studio released the world's first full-length animated film. What was the title?
(Snow White and Seven Dwarfs)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Born in New Orleans in 1939, this man became famous on November 22, 1963.
(Lee Harvey Oswald)

[MISCELLANEOUS] In 1943, French underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau helped create an invention designed for underwater breathing, and 60's British rock group Jethro Tull named an album after it. What is it?
(Aqualung)

July 22, homies!

2008-07-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Next Drink'n'Think: July 22nd

2008-07-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Fathers Against Rude Television (F.A.R.T) for taking home the $93 pot at the most recent Drink'n'Think. A tip of the hat to the Half-Assed Assassins for battling them down to the wire. As always, thanks to everyone else for participating.

Here are the questions from the last Drink'n'Think:

ROUND 1

[HISTORY] Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly across what ocean?
(Atlantic)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] Last month, NASA confirmed the presence of what at the Phoenix Lander site on Mars, after bright clumps uncovered by digging were found to have gone from the solid to gas state?
(Ice/Water)

[SPORTS] What university won its first College World Series last month?
(Fresno State University)

[LITERATURE] In what novel does the character known as Monks do his best to conceal a boy’s identity so that he can claim the boy’s rightful inheritance as his own?
(Oliver Twist)

[POLITICS] On June 26th, President Bush said he intends to remove what nation from the U.S. list of countries that sponsor terrorism, after it released its long-awaited nuclear program declaration?
(North Korea)

[MUSIC] Who is Loretta Lynn’s platinum award-winning, country music-singing sister?
(Crystal Gale)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Recently, in a 5-4 ruling the Supreme Court decided that the handgun ban in the District of Columbia violated what amendment?
(The Second Amendment/ The right to bear arms)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] What already established actor played the student-seducing Professor Jennings in National Lampoon’s 1978 film, “Animal House”?
(Donald Sutherland)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What Sundance award-winning documentary focuses on Lake Charles and uncovers the environmental hazards of PVC production?
(Blue Vinyl)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What’s the world’s smallest ocean?
(Arctic)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] Established in 1835, and sharing a name with major league baseball team, they were the first U.S. state police force.
(Texas Rangers)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] First created and consumed by European monks in the 600s, their odd shape represents a child's arms folded in prayer?
(Pretzels)

[SPORTS] What pitcher was recently released from the Houston Astros after he reportedly grabbed the general manager by the neck and threw him to the ground.
(Shawn Chacon)

[LITERATURE] According to Merriam-Webster, what is the word that means the naming of a thing or action by a vocal imitation of the sound associated with it? For example, “buzz” or “crackle.”
(Onomatopoeia)

[POLITICS] What five-time Socialist Party of America candidate for President of the United States ran for office in 1920 while imprisoned at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary.
(Eugene Debs)

[MUSIC] A battle of words has been carried out on Youtube between Soulja Boy and what rap legend?
(Ice-T)

[CURRENT EVENTS] In a secret operation last week, the Colombian military infiltrated rebel group FARC and deceived its members into giving up 15 hostages including what former Colombian presidential candidate?
(Ingrid Betancourt)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] The film industry’s most coveted award, the Oscar, was first presented in what year?
A.) 1927
B.) 1929
C.) 1931
(1927)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Selected by the editors of National Geographic Traveler magazine as 1 of 150 must stay places in the United States, this Louisiana plantation is also considered one of America’s most haunted homes.
(The Myrtles Plantation)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What is the name of China´s largest national TV network?
(CCTV/ China Central Television)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] Originally intended to be built in Barcelona, this structure was built between 1887 and 1889 as the entrance arch for a World’s Fair
(Eiffel Tower)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What is the brightest star in the night sky?
(Sirius or Dog Star)

[SPORTS] What is Tiger Woods’ given first name?
(Eldrick/ Eldrick Tont Woods)

[LITERATURE] Which famous writer said, 'Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer'?
(Mark Twain)

[POLITICS] When referring to the situation in Iraq, what 2004 presidential hopeful said he didn’t realize the Bush White House would “Fuck it up” as badly as they did in a Rolling Stone interview?
(John Kerry)

[MUSIC] Frank Ferranno is better known as what 80’s hair metal rocker?
(Nikki Sixx)

[CURRENT EVENTS] A researcher at Texas A&M recently published a study demonstrating that eating the rind of what fruit has the same effect as Viagra?
(Watermelon)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] Which Looney Toons character was famous for saying, “Sufferin’ succotash!”?
(Sylvester)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] A graduate of John Ehret High School in Marrero, Louisiana this former NFL Quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears recently made a guest appearance on Deal or No Deal.
(Kordell Stewart)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What animal’s name means “river horse”?
(the hippopotamus)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] In 1947, what U.S. President made the first-ever televised presidential address from the White House?
(Harry S. Truman)

[RELIGION/SCIENCE] What spiritual religion of Indian origin, dating back at least as far as the 9th century BCE, places a special emphasis on “non-injury” to all living things, including non-visible minute creatures?
(Jainism)

[SPORTS] Who was the New Orleans Hornets first pick in the 2008 draft?
(Darrell Arthur from Kansas)

[LITERATURE] Opus is the hapless penguin in what comic strip?
(Bloom County)

[POLITICS] What former North Carolina Senator died on the 4th of July at the age of 86?
(Jesse Helms)

[MUSIC] After appearing in one of his music videos, this singer/actress has Pharrell Williams producing her third album entitled, Spirit in the Dark.
(Lindsay Lohan)

[CURRENT EVENTS] What popular chain announced that it will close 600 underperforming shops in the United States?
(Starbucks)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What television show told the story of the Ingalls family while they lived in Walnut Grove, Minnesota?
(Little House on the Prairie)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Louisiana was sold by Napoleon to the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase, but in what year did it become an official state?
(Louisiana became the 18th state on April 30, 1812)

[MISCELLANEOUS] How many sides does a dodecagon have?
(12)

Tie Breaker Question:

According to city data.com, how many females live in Westlake, Louisiana?

Answer: 2,431

Next Drink'n'Think: July 8th

2008-06-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

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)

Next Drink'n'Think: June 24th

2008-06-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

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)

Drink'n'Think: June 10th

2008-05-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

The next Drink'n'Think will be June 10th at RikenJaks. Sign-ups begin at 8:30 p.m. and trivia starts at 9:00 p.m. $3/person with up to 6 people on a team. We are going to experiment with a new scoring system to give everyone an equal shot at winning till the last round. In Rounds 1-3 every correct answer will be worth 1 point. In the last round every correct answer will be worth 2 points. With the new system, bombing a single round won't eliminate a team from competition because they will have a chance to catch up in the last round.

Also, Trivial Pursuit has been added to the list of suspect sources.

Brandy Chastain and Lake Placid should file a grievance with Parker Brothers

Finally, several people have expressed interest in having the old questions posted. The day after each Drink'n'Think I will post the questions and answers on this blog.

Round 1

[HISTORY] Who was the first Tsar of Russia?
(Ivan IV the terrible)

[RELIGION] In 1517, Martin Luther initiated the starting point of Protestantism by
posting how many “Theses" on the door of a church in Wittenberg?
(95)

[SPORTS] Who was the first team to lose three consecutive NBA Championships?
(New York Knicks)

[LITERATURE] In “The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis - what is the name of
Lucy's older sister?
(Susan)

[POLITICS] What politican was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor?
(Ted Kennedy)

[MUSIC] On May 19th, television's Richard Lloyd, the Misfits' Bobby Steele, Local H
and many, many more celebrate what deceased punk rocker's 57th birthday at
the Fillmore East in New York?
(Joey Ramone)

[CURRENT EVENTS] On May 20th, the drug maker Merck agreed to pay $58 million as part
of a settlement that claimed its ads for what once-popular
painkiller deceptively played down the health risks.
(Vioxx)

[CINEMA/ TELEVISON] During the show’s run, how many times was Ross Geller of
TV’s “Friends” married?
(3)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] On May 17th, a freight train derailed in Lafayette, Louisiana
spilling 10,000 gallons of what?
(Hydrocloric Acid)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What color has a longer wavelength than any other?
(red)

ROUND 2

[HISTORY] What United States Governor from a southern state was shot and paralyzed
while campaigning for President of the United States in 1972?
(George Wallace, Alabama)

[RELIGION] In the Bible, what are the eight blessings in the “Sermon on the Mount”
called?
(the Beatitudes)

[SPORTS] When this U.S. women’s soccer team member clinched the 1999 Women’s World
Cup Final with a penalty kick, she celebrated by ripping off her team
jersey.
(Mia Hamm)/ Correction: Brandy Chastain

[LITERATURE] In this Greek play by Aristophanes, Athenian socialites withhold
passion from their frustrated husbands until a peace treaty is finally
signed with Sparta.
(Lysistrata)

[POLITICS] After completing high school, Barack Obama moved to Los Angeles and
attended Occidental College for two years. To which Ivy League
institution did he subsequently transfer?
(Columbia – BA Political Science 1983)

[MUSIC] Which rock and roll cult hero has recorded with the Bad Seeds for 25 years?
(Nick Cave)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Earlier this month in California, The Assembly Revenue and Taxation
Committee considered a bill that will be boost tax revenue from 8
to 25 percent in what industry?
(adult entertainment)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What annual awards have been presenting Dis-Honors for Worst
Achievements in Film since 1980?
(The Razzies)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] What is the primary newspaper of Baton Rouge, Louisiana?
(The Advocate)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What brand of popcorn claims to be “as much fun to make as it is to eat?”
(Jiffy Pop)

ROUND 3

[HISTORY] In 1978, what state became home to the first legal U.S. Casino opened
outside of Nevada?
(New Jersey)

[RELIGION] What is the first month in the Islamic calender?
(Muharram)

[SPORTS] Who was the first unseeded player to win Wimbledon?
(Boris Becker – 1985 – 17 yrs old.)

[LITERATURE] Name the Dublin-born playwright and winner of the 1925 Nobel Prize
in Literature who wrote Candida and Pygmalion, among other famous plays.
(George Bernard Shaw)

[POLITICS] What former chess champion was giving a speech to unite political forces
against Putin when a radio-controlled penis flew across the room to some
applause and laughter.
(Garry Kasparov)

[MUSIC] What is the best-selling album of the sound scan era in the United States
according to the Recording Industry Association of America? Nielsen
SoundScan began tracking sales data for Billboard on March 1, 1991.
You can give either the album or the artist.
(Come on over – Shania Twain – 15.5 million)

[CURRENT EVENTS] Who recently filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Ben
Stein’s movie “Expelled”?
(Yoko Ono for the use of John Lennon’s “Imagine”)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] In the 1971 movie musical “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate
Factory,” name the only child (other than Charlie) who
sings a song.
(Veruca Salt)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] The oldest town in Louisiana, perched on Cane River Lake, was
first established as a fort and trading post in 1714 to
prevent the Spanish from encroaching on French territory
(Natchitoches)

[MISCELLANEOUS] What kid’s toy, marketed by “Uncle Milton” Levine since
1956, has sold over 20 million units to date?
(the Ant farm)

ROUND 4

[HISTORY] Who was the first male to appear on the cover of Playboy in 1964?
(Peter Sellers)

[RELIGION] The Vedas are the primary text of what major religion?
(Hinduism)

[SPORTS] What city hosted the 1980 Winter Olympic Games?
(Moscow) Correction: Lake Placid, NY

[LITERATURE] What writer’s children’s books included “James and Giant Peach”?
(Roald Dahl)

[POLITICS] Who is the current president of Russia?
(Dmitry Medvedev)

[MUSIC] Who was the lead singer of the Talking Heads?
(David Byrne)

[CURRENT EVENTS] On May 20th, a U.S. Navy plane violated what country’s airspace?
(Venezuala)

[CINEMA/TELEVISION] What star of the Breakfast Club was also part of the
orginal cast of “The Facts of Life”?
(Molly Ringwald)

[LOCAL KNOWLEDGE] Name the song by The Band which mentions Lake Charles, LA.
(Up on Cripple Creek)

[MISCELLANEOUS] In what city was a Disney theme park opened in 1983?
(Tokyo, Japan)

2008-05-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

Poster for May 27

2008-05-15T05:34:00.000-07:00

Next trivia, next trivia... and here's the poster to go with it:

Drink'n'Think Pots on the Rise

2008-05-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

Attendance at Drink'n'Think has been steadily increasing since our humble beginnings back in November. As a corollary, our pots have been steadily increasing as well. The last two trivia nights have been played for $75 and $100.

Is it word of mouth? Is it the artistic signs? Is it Alex? Is it lack of anything better to do on a Tuesday night in Lake Charles? Who knows?

Thanks to everyone who has been participating. The next Drink'n'Think will be May 27th. You know the time and place.

Drink'n'Think May 13th @ Rikenaks

2008-05-06T07:36:00.001-07:00

8:30 sign-ups
9:00 start time
$3/person up to 4 people per team

Correction

2008-04-30T05:28:00.000-07:00

Last night, we threw out the following question: Who was the first president to be born outside of the 13 original colonies. After some research, the correct answer was in fact Lincoln.

George Washington (1789-97) Virginia
John Adams (1797-1801) Massachusetts
Thomas Jefferson (1801-09) Virginia
James Madison (1809-17) Virginia
James Monroe (1817-25) Virginia
John Quincy Adams (1825-29) Massachusetts
Andrew Jackson (1829-37) South Carolina
Martin Van Buren (1837-41) New York
William Henry Harrison (1841) Virginia
John Tyler (1841-45) Virginia
James K. Polk (1845-49) North Carolina
Zachary Taylor (1849-50) Virginia
Millard Fillmore (1850-53) New York
Franklin Pierce (1853-57) New Hampshire
James Buchanan (1857-61) Pennsylvania
Abraham Lincoln (1861-65) Kentucky

Drink'n'Think - Tuesday - April 29th

2008-04-28T07:42:00.001-07:00

Don't miss the the only live-trivia event in Lake Charles!

Sign-ups begin at 8:30 p.m.
Trivia begins at 9:00 p.m.

$3/person
4 people per team

Winner takes home the pot.

Bar-Trivia Champ Being A Real Dick About It

2008-04-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

SHARONVILLE, OH—Shawn Gause, 34, a Cincinnati-area resident and bar-trivia champion, is a real dick about his trivia prowess, patrons of McSorley's Pub reported Tuesday.

"I used to look forward to Monday trivia nights," bar patron Christine Deroia said. "But not since Mr. I-Win-All-The-Time-And-Am-A-Royal-Asshole-About-It started coming around. God, that guy burns me up."

Gause first visited McSorley's on March 4 after hearing brother-in-law Douglas Lang mention the bar's weekly trivia night. He decided to participate, Gause said, to "show them how it's done."

"I'm way into trivia," said Gause, an associate manager at Fast & Reliable Electricians. "No, let me correct that. I am the Trivia Master, the undisputed King Of Knowledge. Anything about baseball, don't even bother asking. Name a Beatles song, I'll tell you the year it came out and what album it's on. History, literature, pop culture... you name it, I am The Man."

A popular hangout for clerical and maintenance employees at nearby Bethesda North Hospital, McSorley's purchased its trivia-network computer system and tabletop consoles in 1997. Players form four-person teams and compete for points by answering multiple-choice questions displayed on the bar's three TV sets.

Gause, who has not missed a trivia night since his March 4 debut, quickly earned the enmity of his fellow bar patrons.

"Shari [Messner]'s team actually dropped out because this jerk made them so nervous with his super-competitiveness," Deroia said. "Whenever somebody misses a question, he cackles this really loud, horribly grating cackle. And if it's an easy question, he'll be like, 'How could anybody not know that?' Everybody else is just trying to have fun, but he treats it like it's the friggin' Super Bowl."

According to Deroia, Gause's arrival on the scene spoiled several good-natured, longtime rivalries.

"Before Shawn messed everything up, it was fun to see how The A-Team was going to do against Triviazilla. Or whether Bengals Suck would whip We All Love Don," Deroia said. "Now, me and the other gals on The Know-It-Alls don't even have a good time when we play against our husbands on The Avengers. We're all too busy being annoyed by that cocksucker."

Gause has antagonized nearly every person at McSorley's, including Larry Olberding, his friend and former teammate on the Knights Of The Bar Table.

"I tried to tell Shawn that it's all for fun," Olberding said. "Everyone likes to get into it and yell and cheer, but no one really cares who wins. They just want to hang out and have a good time. My God, it's trivia. Has that fact escaped him?"

Gause's constant running commentary, bar patrons say, ranks among his most irritating habits. As soon as each question appears, he gives his opinion of its difficulty level, snorting derisively and saying "Eeeasy," for simple questions. If the question is more difficult, he makes grunting sounds and then says, "That's a good one."

"After every answer is revealed, he has to give some related trivia tidbit to show how smart he is," said Patrick Baugh of the Wassup?!? team. "Like, at one point, they asked, 'Who played Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind?' So when Vivien Leigh is posted on the screen as the answer, he says, 'Originally, the Scarlett role was supposed to go to Bette Davis.' Because, I guess, just knowing that Vivien Leigh played Scarlett O'Hara isn't impressive enough."

Due to his competitive nature, Gause has had to recruit new teammates each week.

"[Gause] usually convinces a few suckers to play with him so they can get in on the $40 bar tab for the winners," waitress Laurie Gibson said. "But then he gives them so much shit when they get questions wrong, they always eventually quit. I don't blame them."

Though bargoers have cherished the few times Gause has lost, cheering wildly and mobbing the winning team, he is even more unbearable in defeat.

"For, like, an hour after he loses, everyone has to hear this big litany of excuses why he lost: The questions were stupid, he wasn't trying, his console wasn't working... you name it," Baugh said. "Just admit you were beaten fair and square, you stupid, annoying, pompous... trivia dick."

Though Gause's fellow McSorley's patrons used to criticize him only behind his back, they no longer hold their comments until he exits the bar. On Monday, when Gause was once again victorious, a voice from the bar's rear yelled, "Leave and never come back. No one wants you here."

Embarrassed to be the person who first brought Gause to the bar, Lang has attempted to distance himself from his brother-in-law. The last several weeks, Lang has either skipped Trivia Night or sat silently in the back of the bar and avoided him.

"Last week, this group of women started throwing ice cubes at Shawn," Lang said. "When he just ignored it, some guys reached behind the bar and started chucking entire handfuls at him. Finally, Shawn stands up and says, 'I'm so on fire tonight, I could use a cooling-off.' So he takes one of the ice cubes that went down his shirt and pops it in his mouth. I've tried to talk to him, but he's just determined to be a jackass."

from the ONION

Poster for April 29

2008-04-18T22:47:00.000-07:00

And here's the new poster we'll use to advertise the April 29 session.

April 29th Drink'n'Think @ Rikenjaks

2008-04-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

Keeping with our promise, Drink'n'Think will be hitting Rikenjaks on April 29th for another round. Spread the Word...

2008-04-15T13:09:00.001-07:00

Yeah, like, what he said. (I've not much to say, but I did put up a new header for the blog...)

Drink'n'Think - Tuesday - April 15th

2008-04-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

Drink'n'Think has added a few new members to the team. Lenny, former member of Lazy Genius, is joining the group as a question writer. Alex will also be penning, and screaming out, questions.

With the addition of Alex and Lenny, we will try to host Drink'n'Think bi-monthly - usually the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month (may vary by month). In lieu of our increased productivity, we are raising the price from $2 per person to $3 per person. We are using the extra dollar to pay for essential supplies (pens, notecards, alcohol, each of our prescription drug problems, etc.).

Come on out Tuesday, April 15th, to Rikenjaks for Drink'n'Think.