Well, we survived. I think we got to bed around 2:30 last night and everything is a cloud of fog this morning. I made with through the weekend with about 10 hours of sleep total. This will make the drive back to the airport seem to last longer than watching Dances With Wolves.
Anna just had her Green Card approved! Finally! After a long and mind-numbing process, she has learned that if you are persistant enough they will let just about anyone into this country! Eventually! It is great news.
Throughout the week, I'll flesh out some of the smaller posts and add some additional feedback on the "placeholder" posts from the middle of Friday and Saturday night. I will also fix spelling and typos from posts I didn't edit closely.
I've got a broomball game in St. Paul at 6 PM and then a long and deep sleep--this signals the return to the mundane normalcy of my life.
Cheers!
Joel
Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Garrudas Time @ 10:30
We wrapped up the regular 5 point trivia questions with a slim lead over Trivia Pirates Aargh and a slightly bigger lead over Six Feet Under Inter-office Memoranda. However, both teams are in reach of us in the Garruda rounds coming up at 10:30.
Garrudas are significantly more difficult that they standard questions and are worth anywhere from 25-75 points. We also get more time to solve them. For example, we got one Garruda last year for 25 points. "What was Jim Morrison's Passport Number?" We were able to find a copy of his death certificate online and get the number from there.
After the Garrudas, we have one Super Garruda which is typically worth 100 points and honestly are virtually unanswerable. The last time someone officially got a super garruda was the Bank in 2001. If all goes well, we call random strangers and wake them up in bed.
Garrudas are significantly more difficult that they standard questions and are worth anywhere from 25-75 points. We also get more time to solve them. For example, we got one Garruda last year for 25 points. "What was Jim Morrison's Passport Number?" We were able to find a copy of his death certificate online and get the number from there.
After the Garrudas, we have one Super Garruda which is typically worth 100 points and honestly are virtually unanswerable. The last time someone officially got a super garruda was the Bank in 2001. If all goes well, we call random strangers and wake them up in bed.
All Mine!
Look at the amazing desert we have coming later. Just LOOK at it! I know the perspective is odd, but it is actually BIGGER than it looks.
I just want to stick my head in the giant bowl for a few minutes. I won't, but it's going to be a challenge. Quick! Grab the wrist restraints!
This looks awesome!
I Done Wet My Britches!
Star Wars Hour!
Last question of the non-Star Wars hour.... Here's the answer
http://www.pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF089-Caring_for_Your_Turtle.gif
Another great one from the same website http://www.pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF050-An_End_to_Gopher_Trouble.gif
Last question of the non-Star Wars hour.... Here's the answer
http://www.pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF089-Caring_for_Your_Turtle.gif
Another great one from the same website http://www.pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF050-An_End_to_Gopher_Trouble.gif
If only she was real!
Fictional myspace pages are good comedy
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=73410940
"Introducing Dahsheeka (pronounced Dar-shee-car) the feisty, straight-talking object of the infamously buttas MC Gremlins unwanted affections. Born Dahsheeka Monisha Elisha Rhiena Beyonce Ashanti Brown in Peckham it was clear from a young age that Dahsheeka had a definitive taste for the high life, her first words to her parents being Moschino and I want. A round-the-way-girl with the clich attitude to match, Dahsheeka, or Sheek as shes fondly called by her peers, enjoyed growing up in Peckham as it taught her many valuable life lessons such as: the California yakky at Deepaks wholesale on the high street tangles too quickly, or Chantels mums boyfriend can get designer D&G bags much cheaper than Tyrone and Bavin behind the flats! 19-year-old Dahsheeka is one of the founding members of TFC which stands for the Too Fine Crew 04, alongside her best friend and fellow hot gal Maneetah (every pretty girls ugly best friend), their main ethos being to look buff come rain or shine. Maneetah ironically has a deep crush on Dahsheekas gruesome chief pesterer MC gremlin, COULD YOU BELIEVE IT!? But hes not amused and continually spurns her advances of lust! For more on Dahsheeka and the gangs hilarious animated capers visit www.buttas.com "
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=73410940
"Introducing Dahsheeka (pronounced Dar-shee-car) the feisty, straight-talking object of the infamously buttas MC Gremlins unwanted affections. Born Dahsheeka Monisha Elisha Rhiena Beyonce Ashanti Brown in Peckham it was clear from a young age that Dahsheeka had a definitive taste for the high life, her first words to her parents being Moschino and I want. A round-the-way-girl with the clich attitude to match, Dahsheeka, or Sheek as shes fondly called by her peers, enjoyed growing up in Peckham as it taught her many valuable life lessons such as: the California yakky at Deepaks wholesale on the high street tangles too quickly, or Chantels mums boyfriend can get designer D&G bags much cheaper than Tyrone and Bavin behind the flats! 19-year-old Dahsheeka is one of the founding members of TFC which stands for the Too Fine Crew 04, alongside her best friend and fellow hot gal Maneetah (every pretty girls ugly best friend), their main ethos being to look buff come rain or shine. Maneetah ironically has a deep crush on Dahsheekas gruesome chief pesterer MC gremlin, COULD YOU BELIEVE IT!? But hes not amused and continually spurns her advances of lust! For more on Dahsheeka and the gangs hilarious animated capers visit www.buttas.com "
Kremlins or Gremlins Hour
I got nuthin' Fiona and I are tired. We have 10 hours to go and are running on a skeleten crew. We just missed a question that brings the Trivia Pirates Arrr! very close to us.
Great Jam Team: In Mother Russia trivia jams you!
Great Jam Team: In Mother Russia trivia jams you!
Fubar Hour
This may be a darwin hour..
**Update, It's a Fail Hour**
We just got an insane question featuring the awesome band Galatic. We didn't get the answer, but neither did the Pirates.... Whew!
Shout out to the Stevens Point Contest.
**Update, It's a Fail Hour**
We just got an insane question featuring the awesome band Galatic. We didn't get the answer, but neither did the Pirates.... Whew!
Shout out to the Stevens Point Contest.
The Interwebs is Fixed
We've been down for 90 minutes or so when the Lawrence Servers weren't transmitting data--in case all two of you listening from home were wondering what was wrong. Our handy network guru Jason headed down there to help get things rolling again! So, hopefully you'll get some new updates from the wife and I on how the contest is going very soon! This is the guy Jason defeated to get things taken care of:
My Belly
We have a pause in the contest because the Trivia Master's don't have enough volunteer phone answererererererss. So, with a warm glow of eggs and BACON in my stomach, I want to take a second to say thank you to everyone that has cooked and cleaned for our team this weekend.
It isn't an easy task since we've had a significant number of folks come through the doors since Friday night. We've been well fed with nice home cooked meals--rather than the pizza and Chinese takeout one might expect. Some of the highlights were the beef, bean or pork enchiladas for dinner last night and Friday's homemade macaroni and cheese with brocoli. I have absolutly no recollection about breakfast yesterday but I am sure it was awesome.
The folks that feed us are amazing and selfless people. And I must admit, that it's better than gorging on Cool Ranch Doritos, Cheetos and other junk food and getting MSG remains all over my keyboard.
My well shaped belly says "THANKS!"
It isn't an easy task since we've had a significant number of folks come through the doors since Friday night. We've been well fed with nice home cooked meals--rather than the pizza and Chinese takeout one might expect. Some of the highlights were the beef, bean or pork enchiladas for dinner last night and Friday's homemade macaroni and cheese with brocoli. I have absolutly no recollection about breakfast yesterday but I am sure it was awesome.
The folks that feed us are amazing and selfless people. And I must admit, that it's better than gorging on Cool Ranch Doritos, Cheetos and other junk food and getting MSG remains all over my keyboard.
My well shaped belly says "THANKS!"
49 In A Row....
That was the streak before we just missed a question...
The question that tripped us up refered to who currently lives in the home of Glenn and Annie Greenwood from Free Willy.
The question that tripped us up refered to who currently lives in the home of Glenn and Annie Greenwood from Free Willy.
Any Whale You Want It, That's The Whale You Need It
I am really enjoying whale hour. I wonder if there will be a question about NICK'S Maggie?
264. IN ONE OF HIS BIZARRE SIGHTS CARTOONS MARK LYNCH DEPICTS AN ANIMAL ON TOP OF A WHALE, WHAT TYPE OF ANIMAL
AND WHAT IS IT INSERTING INTO THE WHALE'S BLOWHOLE
264. IN ONE OF HIS BIZARRE SIGHTS CARTOONS MARK LYNCH DEPICTS AN ANIMAL ON TOP OF A WHALE, WHAT TYPE OF ANIMAL
AND WHAT IS IT INSERTING INTO THE WHALE'S BLOWHOLE
** Whale's In The Sky Keep On Turnin' **
#260. On Nov. 12, 1970 the passenger side roof of Walter Umenhofer's Buick was crushed by something falling from the sky. What was the object?
Genius Idea Oregon!
http://www.winglitch.com/articles/dynawhale.htm
Genius Idea Oregon!
http://www.winglitch.com/articles/dynawhale.htm
Random Thoughts
The bacon smells so good right now. We've go five pounds of the world's most wonderful pig product cooking in the kitchen. The wife, being Canadian, wishes it was back bacon wrapping a Tim Horton's donut. Not really, but it sounds like a good idea.
I wish we had a cat cam back home right now. To be honest, our cat doesn't do much. It would just be hours of a live feed pointing at a wall or the couch cushions. We refer to her ability to stare at the green cushions as watching "CouchTV, always on!" She can stare for hours. I suppose it would be more effective to put a mirror under her nose and a cam on that to track if she's alive and kicking.
I wish we had a cat cam back home right now. To be honest, our cat doesn't do much. It would just be hours of a live feed pointing at a wall or the couch cushions. We refer to her ability to stare at the green cushions as watching "CouchTV, always on!" She can stare for hours. I suppose it would be more effective to put a mirror under her nose and a cam on that to track if she's alive and kicking.
Where are the Shriners?
We have a parade of duct tape from the ceiling between the lower trivia room and the kitchen. This tradition tracks consecutive correct responses from our team--ignoring off-campus shut outs. We’ve been going on quite a streak. 
Time for Some Zzzzzs
Joel is grabbing some floor for some zzzzs. My head in spinning, and I'm ready for the sun to come up!
Jam Team: So this seal walks into a club...
Jam Team: So this seal walks into a club...
I don't get it...
More Toto - Africa.
Started over to cover some dead air.
If you thought your life sucked, but was better than John Carney's, this might also make you feel better. http://danstheman.com/Jenny.htm Dude had too much free time.
Started over to cover some dead air.
If you thought your life sucked, but was better than John Carney's, this might also make you feel better. http://danstheman.com/Jenny.htm Dude had too much free time.
Crunch Time
We are now gearing up for the most important hours of Trivia. I managed to grab a few hours of sleep, and I'm feeling okay. This is crunch time, so I hope we manage to brute through now with some strong hours.
Observations, it's hard to sound 'metal' while saying "catfish sandwiches"
Observations, it's hard to sound 'metal' while saying "catfish sandwiches"
NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA-NA
Batman Hour!
FYI according to question 201, "planting a timebomb in a local library is a felony."
Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVhqcMIF8H4
2 Robins, 1 Batcup
FYI according to question 201, "planting a timebomb in a local library is a felony."
Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVhqcMIF8H4
2 Robins, 1 Batcup
Saturday, January 24, 2009
More Choad Humor
Jam Team Choads:
The Long and Winding Choad
Country Choads Take Me Home
Cotton Eyed Choad
Goodbye Yellow Brick Choad
Every Rose Has It's Choad
The Long and Winding Choad
Country Choads Take Me Home
Cotton Eyed Choad
Goodbye Yellow Brick Choad
Every Rose Has It's Choad
Only Halfway There
It is hard to believe but we've only crossed the halfway mark for this contest. We've got a long way to go and a shot time to get there."
The good news is there's beer in Texarcana.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnRwQjTYfGI
The good news is there's beer in Texarcana.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnRwQjTYfGI
Wow!
I just can't come up with witty comments for this one. I am sure they are there, but the article says it all.
http://www.darwinawards.com/personal/personal1999-15.html
http://www.darwinawards.com/personal/personal1999-15.html
Stop! Hammer Time!
Shake it like a Polariod picture! The Party Hour theme is one of the most fun. First question has to do with the bottle opener in Cool Hand Luke.
Dog Fight
Looks like we are in a dog fight with Trivia Pirates Arrgh! Offical scores have us trailing, we'll need to refocus overnight so we can try to overtake them in the middle night for the final Sunday afternoon push.
Death To All Flying Things
183. Rapid pressure drop has caused the death of a large amount of what type of animal without any physical contact?
Just like the Red Baron (except when battling Snoopy), it appears that Canadian wind turbines destory everything that dare to come to near.
According to Discovery, bats have been dying in large numbers do to rapid pressure changes when they get near the turbines.
"Here's the science" http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/08/25/wind-turbine-bats.html
Just like the Red Baron (except when battling Snoopy), it appears that Canadian wind turbines destory everything that dare to come to near.
According to Discovery, bats have been dying in large numbers do to rapid pressure changes when they get near the turbines.
"Here's the science" http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/08/25/wind-turbine-bats.html
"You say tomato, I say pimp"
Apologies to Burn Notice for that title. Just learned that a tomato has also been know as love apple and wolf peach. Both of those names sound like a euphamism used by a gangster in an old black and white movie to sneak past the censors. Like, "hey lady! How's the old wolf peach?"
Yuck!
Yuck!
Trivia Hour Is Over
The most self-reflexive hour is over.... The Trivia Trivia Hour is complete. It is my least favorite hour because I can't try to at least reason the answers. It's pure blind googling luck and brute force guessing.
On another note, the trivia geniuses requesting Sweet Caroline by "Elvis" should really recheck their music collection.
*Update* I stand corrected. There's a reason I've never heard the Elvis version, because frankly it sucks. No joy in listening to the King destroy a wonderful song with the dulcet tones of a man who is trying to pass a kidney stone.
On another note, the trivia geniuses requesting Sweet Caroline by "Elvis" should really recheck their music collection.
*Update* I stand corrected. There's a reason I've never heard the Elvis version, because frankly it sucks. No joy in listening to the King destroy a wonderful song with the dulcet tones of a man who is trying to pass a kidney stone.
I just broke my own heart
By remembering many of the lyrics to the Fishheads songs... Now don't lie to yourself and deny you knowledge of this... even if you think it is stupid today, you still remember it from when you were 8. Don't make me ask Dr. Demento to pop a cap in your a$$.
Here's a remixed reminder http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks5zxOxR97U
Here's a remixed reminder http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks5zxOxR97U
Moose
Is Algonquin that roughly means "twig-eater."
Yum! Twigs.
That's a big difference from today's meaning of "Dude with a big butt that works really hard on the sports field."
Yum! Twigs.
That's a big difference from today's meaning of "Dude with a big butt that works really hard on the sports field."
The wife has left the building....
Actually she hasn't, instead she is finally going to bed! I think she's been up since 6:45 AM yesterday morning. I am to wake her up around 9 PM. We'll see how it goes, while she sleeps. She's done a yoeman's job so far!
Choad sighting: Choado Baggins
Choad sighting: Choado Baggins
No Matter How Much You Think Your Life Sucks
You aren't John Carney!
Question 120: Which four NFL positions possess the football during a miraculous lateral field time expiring only to have their kicker miss the field goal?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Od9C2dKiCI
Question 120: Which four NFL positions possess the football during a miraculous lateral field time expiring only to have their kicker miss the field goal?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Od9C2dKiCI
Not 10 Minutes Later
We got a question about what animal has 10 sex chromosomes....
The answer? Part 2 of the post below. Random!
I guess it pays to discuss Wikipedia articles on a long car ride.
Jam Team Name: Wii-Not Fit
The answer? Part 2 of the post below. Random!
I guess it pays to discuss Wikipedia articles on a long car ride.
Jam Team Name: Wii-Not Fit
More on Random Animals
Lobsters can't get any bigger without molting their shells... so they have that going for them.
Also, the duck-billed platypus is a misnomer since there are no other types of living platypuses (or platypodes if you are funky-Greek) to distinguish the duck-billed from. Go figure.
Also, the duck-billed platypus is a misnomer since there are no other types of living platypuses (or platypodes if you are funky-Greek) to distinguish the duck-billed from. Go figure.
Yes, I am a geek
Well, I am rested, caffeinated and have cleaned out the eye goblins after a brief and restless two hour nap.
Risking that I might just appear a little geekier than I did one day ago, trivia might be the intellectual equivalent of the BSG episode 33. In the first episode after the miniseries, the Galactica and surviving members of the fleet have to execute a jump every 33 minutes for over five consecutive days. Instead of starting a jump clock, every three minutes multiple players on our team holler out “QUESTION!” To get all the chatty folks to shut up so we can hear the next, well… question. We shut off all the cooking devices and everyone refocuses—no matter how tired you are—to hear it and start the search for an answer. Every three minutes, until late Sunday night.
I didn’t get much sleep from 8 to 10:30 because every few minutes I would be awoken by someone screaming “question.” Speaking of which, we just had an on-campus and off-campus shut out… So it’s time for the hoot of “Question!”
*Hey Gaeta, I seem to have lost something on New Caprica. Perhaps, you Cylon buddies know where it it*
Risking that I might just appear a little geekier than I did one day ago, trivia might be the intellectual equivalent of the BSG episode 33. In the first episode after the miniseries, the Galactica and surviving members of the fleet have to execute a jump every 33 minutes for over five consecutive days. Instead of starting a jump clock, every three minutes multiple players on our team holler out “QUESTION!” To get all the chatty folks to shut up so we can hear the next, well… question. We shut off all the cooking devices and everyone refocuses—no matter how tired you are—to hear it and start the search for an answer. Every three minutes, until late Sunday night.
I didn’t get much sleep from 8 to 10:30 because every few minutes I would be awoken by someone screaming “question.” Speaking of which, we just had an on-campus and off-campus shut out… So it’s time for the hoot of “Question!”
*Hey Gaeta, I seem to have lost something on New Caprica. Perhaps, you Cylon buddies know where it it*
Lob-stah!
Apparently lobsters are great test subjects for experiments because of their post-experiment edibility. Who knew? Perhaps that's where the McDonald's in Maine get the lobster for their McLobster.
If Celebrities Were From the Midwest
Wow, quite impressive. If Celebrities Were From the Midwest
I believe this may be funny even after trivia is complete.
I believe this may be funny even after trivia is complete.
Hopefully Our Breakfast Won't Include Scrotato Pancakes
Joel has gone to take a nap, but I'm still going strong (?) 10 hours since we got to Kaukauna. We're in the midst of saturday-morning cartoon hour. Turns out the Bush administration didn't need to resort to waterboarding - a more effective method of torture would have included repeatedly playing the theme song to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
For a while, it looked like we had broken the interweb. I'm actually serious. The cable went out and we were scrambling, losing the feed and only hearing parts of questions, which sucked. Luckily, the interweb fairies have fixed it and we're back to full strength.
Things I've learned in the past few hours of trivia...
- Illinois once thought that "American" was a language...
- The first Olympian born in China was actually Scottish
- Apparently it is possible to paint a life-like image of Charlie Chaplin onto a cat's butt
- You should never tattoo someone's name on your thigh because you might regret it at a later date
For a while, it looked like we had broken the interweb. I'm actually serious. The cable went out and we were scrambling, losing the feed and only hearing parts of questions, which sucked. Luckily, the interweb fairies have fixed it and we're back to full strength.
Things I've learned in the past few hours of trivia...
- Illinois once thought that "American" was a language...
- The first Olympian born in China was actually Scottish
- Apparently it is possible to paint a life-like image of Charlie Chaplin onto a cat's butt
- You should never tattoo someone's name on your thigh because you might regret it at a later date
Africa - Toto
We are getting out first Toto Africa sighting (hearing) right now. For some reason this song has a mystical energizing quality at trivia. I am watching the wife dance in the reflection of the window right now with what is a combination of finals studying madness and caffeine jitters.
I wasn't around the year this became a trivia meme, but it is a good one. Much better than being Rick Rolled....
If you'd like to join in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPT_3PEjnsE
Another good Jam team name: Global Missonary Positioning System
6:42 AM - The Great Depression is now in HD
I wasn't around the year this became a trivia meme, but it is a good one. Much better than being Rick Rolled....
If you'd like to join in http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPT_3PEjnsE
Another good Jam team name: Global Missonary Positioning System
6:42 AM - The Great Depression is now in HD
So far so good.
After the first 50 questions, it looks like we are doing well. The early AM is also a good time for a us to make a push (since a lot of teams go to sleep for a few hours). If the wife and I can make it for a few more hours, we can take a nap while the fresh folks that slep through the night take over.
Stephen Hawking's Karaoke Machine
Another great Jam team name.
Just a quick explanation of what a Jam team is....
This is a call in trivia contest, and teams rely on people to answer phone banks. Since each team is only supposed to call in with one person to answer the question, there’s a gamble that multiple callers will get in to the answerers at the same time. The resolution to this dilemma is to have the second person in with the correct answer give a fake (usually humorous) team name. This practice is frowned upon by the trivia masters and of course the BoK would never stoop to such low practices.
Just a quick explanation of what a Jam team is....
This is a call in trivia contest, and teams rely on people to answer phone banks. Since each team is only supposed to call in with one person to answer the question, there’s a gamble that multiple callers will get in to the answerers at the same time. The resolution to this dilemma is to have the second person in with the correct answer give a fake (usually humorous) team name. This practice is frowned upon by the trivia masters and of course the BoK would never stoop to such low practices.
Zombie Photos
Be sure to check out the Zombie photos form the on campus Zombie Challenge. Inspired red jelly work by the on campus folks!
http://blogs.lawrence.edu/trivia/
http://blogs.lawrence.edu/trivia/
Woot!
Got my first question without having to google it! I can't believe I remembered this off this off the top of my head.
#50 In the movie half-baked a group of friends is revealed to have given names to two treasured possessions. What are these names?
Billy Bong Thorton and Wesley Pipes
#50 In the movie half-baked a group of friends is revealed to have given names to two treasured possessions. What are these names?
Billy Bong Thorton and Wesley Pipes
Another Jam Team Name
Choad to Perdition
Rocky Choad Ice Cream
Left-handed midget - blah
Not a Jam Team
!!Skull Squadron!!
Rocky Choad Ice Cream
Left-handed midget - blah
Not a Jam Team
!!Skull Squadron!!
No one sleeps at trivia.
Team mascot, Phinneas is trying to grab a few winks, but we are waaaaay to loud!
Yum!
On July 2 2008 a man was found in a WI home basement was found whistling to himself he was wearing what was described as urban camo. What was he wearing?
OMGWFTBBQ!
Yes, Barbeque Sauce.
OMGWFTBBQ!
Yes, Barbeque Sauce.
Random things...
Great jam team names...
Solid as Barak
Honey Bunches o' Scroats
Was just introduced to the Starz Bunny Promotional Videos... Link goes to Twilight in 48 seconds, but I have to recommend 16 candles if you aren't easily offended. http://www.starz.com/Promotions/bunnies
This doesn't trump the absolute comedy of Turtle v. Wok from last year. Then again, that probably was only situational humor. If you want to youtube it, I will have to let you know that it's NSFW--if you can actually tell what's going on.
Solid as Barak
Honey Bunches o' Scroats
Was just introduced to the Starz Bunny Promotional Videos... Link goes to Twilight in 48 seconds, but I have to recommend 16 candles if you aren't easily offended. http://www.starz.com/Promotions/bunnies
This doesn't trump the absolute comedy of Turtle v. Wok from last year. Then again, that probably was only situational humor. If you want to youtube it, I will have to let you know that it's NSFW--if you can actually tell what's going on.
Zombie Hour
It's a little early in the weekend for Zombie hour, but who cares? It's Zombie Hour! This is probably the most enjoyable hour of trivia that doesn't occur at 4 AM on Sunday.
Sample Zombie Question: #25 According to the Zombie Sex Guide what stomach turning sexual act is great foreplay for eating brains.
Speaking of Zombies, I know this will come as a shock to most of you, but we don't drink the entire weekend. Yes, I do this sober. *Gasp* However, if there is a high level of incoherency in anything I might type this weekend it is from exhaustion and not booze. Scout’s Honor! Even if I was never a scout nor, do I support their political policies.
More likely the wife and I will be talking like Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America the day after the inauguration. Link to the video with commentary on Gawker http://gawker.com/5136396/diane-sawyer-still-obviously-intoxicated
Sample Zombie Question: #25 According to the Zombie Sex Guide what stomach turning sexual act is great foreplay for eating brains.
Speaking of Zombies, I know this will come as a shock to most of you, but we don't drink the entire weekend. Yes, I do this sober. *Gasp* However, if there is a high level of incoherency in anything I might type this weekend it is from exhaustion and not booze. Scout’s Honor! Even if I was never a scout nor, do I support their political policies.
More likely the wife and I will be talking like Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America the day after the inauguration. Link to the video with commentary on Gawker http://gawker.com/5136396/diane-sawyer-still-obviously-intoxicated
Finally Got Here!
After stops at both Milwaukee and Appleton airport, we walked into the mayhem of question 15. After a quick hello, and super-long boot of my trusty old T41, I am thrust into the begging, pleading and yelling of our leader John Brogan (more on him later).
It’s already 12:46 in the morning and I’ve been in a car since 3 PM, but we’ll have to get going for a while.
Team Name:
Bank of Kaukauna: Is That A Stimulus Package in Your pocket, Or Are You Just Happy To See Us?
Previous team names:
Federal Bank of Kaukauna: Well Past Our Subprime
Bank of Kaukauna: This One Goes To Eleven
It’s already 12:46 in the morning and I’ve been in a car since 3 PM, but we’ll have to get going for a while.
Team Name:
Bank of Kaukauna: Is That A Stimulus Package in Your pocket, Or Are You Just Happy To See Us?
Previous team names:
Federal Bank of Kaukauna: Well Past Our Subprime
Bank of Kaukauna: This One Goes To Eleven
Friday, January 23, 2009
Freaking Telemarketer Scam
So this has nothing to do with Trivia, but I am so annoyed. We got another telemarketer call from Card Member Services just a few minutes ago. Every day we get an unknown caller from either Card Member Services or Warranty Services. Getting on the phone to yell at them has become a hobby for me and the wife. I think it is absolutely shameful how they are trying to scam people.
Fiona and I are on the do not call list. We have had several “discussions” with them about not calling us anymore. Today’s conversation was the best though.
I get the recorded “urgent” action needed on your credit cards before Visa or MasterCard raises your rates. I hit #6 to speak to an agent. When he asks me if I called to lower my interest rates, I reply “no, I hit six so you would stop calling me. I want to be taken off your phone list.”
He tells me there is no phone list. What kind of crap is that? I tell him that we are on the Federal Do Not Call list and they need to stop calling us. Even though we’ve gone this route three or four times already, it can’t hurt to try again. My head exploded when he says, “there is no do not call list.” All rational thought went out the window. He then asks me if I’ve ever seen the list. Does he mean the list of phone numbers of people who don’t want telemarketers calling them all day long? Actually, I don’t know what he’s talking about. I muster a touch of calm and say, “no, I haven’t looked at the list, but I have read the federal regulations on it.” He’s not swayed. Since, neither of us has viewed the do not call list—evidently it must not exist.
Pictures or it didn’t happen. My bad!
When I get back from Wisconsin, I am going to figure out who these people really are, and find someone I can call every single day until they stop. There does seem to be quite a bit of information about them here http://honeypot.net/scam-calls-card-services
Grrrrrrr.
Fiona and I are on the do not call list. We have had several “discussions” with them about not calling us anymore. Today’s conversation was the best though.
I get the recorded “urgent” action needed on your credit cards before Visa or MasterCard raises your rates. I hit #6 to speak to an agent. When he asks me if I called to lower my interest rates, I reply “no, I hit six so you would stop calling me. I want to be taken off your phone list.”
He tells me there is no phone list. What kind of crap is that? I tell him that we are on the Federal Do Not Call list and they need to stop calling us. Even though we’ve gone this route three or four times already, it can’t hurt to try again. My head exploded when he says, “there is no do not call list.” All rational thought went out the window. He then asks me if I’ve ever seen the list. Does he mean the list of phone numbers of people who don’t want telemarketers calling them all day long? Actually, I don’t know what he’s talking about. I muster a touch of calm and say, “no, I haven’t looked at the list, but I have read the federal regulations on it.” He’s not swayed. Since, neither of us has viewed the do not call list—evidently it must not exist.
Pictures or it didn’t happen. My bad!
When I get back from Wisconsin, I am going to figure out who these people really are, and find someone I can call every single day until they stop. There does seem to be quite a bit of information about them here http://honeypot.net/scam-calls-card-services
Grrrrrrr.
The Monkey Slippers Are Packed!
Honestly, that is a lie. They are on my feet right now, and will probably be the last thing thrown in the suitcase this afternoon. At which time, they will infect all the clean clothes extra hats, gloves and mittens (for those travelers from warmer climates who forget how freakin’ cold Wisconsin is in the winter) for the five to six hours it takes for the wife and I to get from Saint Paul, to Milwaukee Airport to pick up some of her friends and then down to Appleton for The Great Midwest Trivia Contest XLIV.Besides my winter addictions to outdoor broomball, summer kickball and year round Rock Band playing, the thing that gets the most quizzically polite laughs is my mention of The Great Midwest Trivia Contest. I know. I participate in a lot of weird crap. For anyone that would like a basic overview of the contest you can go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Midwest_Trivia_Contest. If you want to listen in starting shortly after 10 on Friday, the contest is played over the wide-wide world of web on WLFM http://www.lawrence.edu/sorg/wlfm/
Over the next few days and hours, I will be updating this blog with talk about the contest, random stuff happening to our team, general impressions or whatever else is going through my head as I get no sleep or booze through Sunday at midnight.
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