Quiz- and Christmas links, tips and hints

Not that I'd give away any questions for Wednesday (seeing that I have yet to pick some) but if you feel like practising or just want to read up on Xmas trivia.... apart from Wikipedia..

here's where ..
or here...
or try this..
or just google your own ;)
Not saying that there will be many questions aboutrecords and stuff, or traditions, or... but it's worth a try.. and if the facts are no use on Wednesday you can still smartarse the Christmas out of your friends and family come weekend :P
Oh, and if you get the chance - take a closer look at limerick-writing and practise throwing darts ;)

And if you're still looking for cool Crimbo tunes that are a bit different from 'the usual'.. this here is the bestest place to grab a few.. the Dude has the finest selection and generously shares it with us every year. If you grab a few do be nice and leave a comment or thank you ;)

Happy researching/practising/singing... see you Wednesday :D

Laughs and links

Since I was asked so nicely last night to share the Sex Road Sign cartoon... I shall do so.. and a few of my other favourite pics too. Of course they're not mine and if I remembered where I found them, I would gladly credit the original artists ;)... enjoy trotzdem :D

And for those of you who were wondering about Mike the Headless Chicken (Halloween Quiz) and want to read up on the story.. here is Mike's very own website. Nothing for the faint-hearted though :)

Wilde Quiz #11 - airborne pasta, pics, & points

Well folks, that was a blast. Attendance- and otherwise (but for the fact that - or because? - I couldn't hear all the smart-ass and other remarks ;).. I'm dead chuffed that I finally get the chance again to speak what little French I have left (and the chance to improve it), our little quiz family grows by the week (Bad Apples must be one of the most enthusiastic teams I've ever quizzed).. and - correct me if I'm wrong - Pinkies & The Brain won their first quiz EVER (in ca. 6 years).. brill.
And before we briefly tackle (pseudo) religion, pasta, and Champions League FINAAA-LE, here are last Thursday's points & some pics. The first part of the rest here.. and the second batch on Monday. (busy weekend, with Toon on telly and pirates to be voted for.

The big Wilde Quiz Champions League Finale looms large... Thursday  22 September. I won't put up points after 11 rounds because I don't know how to calculate 5.5 best results out of 11.. mathematically the field is still wide(is) open though. And so the list of teams already in the book for Wilde Quiz #12 is longer than Newcastle's unbeaten run... if you want to know if you're in it (with 'your' table) - check right hand bar.
Yogi right goes to Les Envahisseurs... send me your suggestion by Monday 19th, 21:00.

And briefly, zum Schluß - flying spaghetti monsters and pirates. I was asked - repeatedly - what the deal was with a 'religious' topic. Now, normally we would leave out religion and politics (just to spare us all potential heated arguments and keep the peace). FSMism though is A (arguably) not a 'proper' religion and B (and more importantly) the Yogi topic the Pinkies & Brain chose. And since the losers have the right to pick any topic they feel comfortable with (as wide open or narrowed down as they like) I had to go with it. Them's the rules. And if you go and look into it a bit more (start with wiki, is what I did)..it actually makes quite some (non)sense ... I'm prepared to educate myself a bit more on it...
And now I must be off to buy lots of pasta and prepare for the upcoming pirate days. Vote for them tomorrow.. and speak like one on Monday. Because pirates are cool (note to self: find the episode of Doctor Who where Rose was wearing a tshirt with that slogan...)
Anyroad, have a lovely Wahlwochenende (or just weekend), see you on Thursday.
Aarrrrrrrrr.

Wilde Quiz #9 - points, pics & stuff

Right... not to waste too much of the - allegedly - last weekend of summer ..here are a few photos, and the points for #9. More photos downloadable mid next week...

The Yogi right goes to Just Met Today (wie immer bis Montag 21.00 Uhr.. but you know that ;)..
and because 'twas 'promised'/announced/long overdue we shall have an anagram round for #10, with band / artist names. Should be fun.. get practising :)

Oh, and afore I forget it.. JM2D will remember Quiz WMs und other related things.. I've had mail. With the promise of answers.. and the Bitte to link the new website of recently gegründete German Quizverein.... which hiermit I have dome. Go check for yourself.

Quiz-WM - lots of links

Apologies for still not having more photos (I PROMISE if you bring a stick on Monday you'll get tons.. or I'll mail them if I have your address).. busy working on the very last Quiky.. and finding more info on the upcoming World Quizzing Championships (i.e. format, venue, resources, and previous winners)
To save time I'll put up a few links where you can read up on stuff, in English and/or German.
The more I find out the more it looks like some SERIOUS business ;) .. I still intend to be there on 4 June.. though just as observer... the 10€ starter's fee will be more wisely invested in alcohol ;)

Right - here's where/how/what.. just follow the links and the links in the links..
http://www.quizmeisterschaften.de/
http://www.ken-jennings.com/messageboards/index.php
http://www.qmania.de/ (this is where you have to register to take part in the Germany edition)
http://www.wqc2011.com/format.html (World Quizzing Championships 2011 website - ENG)
https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=122685884414754 (WQC 2011 facebook group)

there are tons more but those should keep you busy for the time being.. not to speak of preparation for Monday's Final...
Topics will be up here late Saturday, before I spend most of my Sunday watching Newcastle beat Liverpool (hope springs eternal :)...and warming up the liver for Monday.

PS: info for Spectators/Zuschauer 
this is the registration form for the players.
Mere spectators don't have to register but just turn up and pay their obolus (5€).
Since space in Salz-Club is limited players have priority. Turning up in time to get a (good) seat just to ogle the brainiacs is all important. We'll have to discuss and coordinate potential (group) attendance on Monday.
Spieler müssen sich über das obige Online-Formular anmelden. Für Zuschauer gilt keine Anmeldepflicht allerdings sind Plätze im Salz-Club begrenzt und natürlich haben Spieler Vorrang. Wer also nur gaffen will muß rechtzeitig auftauchen (Einlaß ab ca. 12.00 Uhr), seinen Obolus von 5€ entrichten und hoffen daß er einen (guten) Platz findet. Wir sollten also potentielles Gruppen-Zuschauen am Montag diskutieren und koordinieren.

PPS: Just checked out Salz-Club (on the 'net) - you can book the place (or parts of it) FREE OF CHARGE. sounds like a cute little (!) location for the occasional Quiz Night, with Karaoke or 'Disco' afterwards.. I'll look into it... we might get something NICE going there... maybe some BIG quiz event once a month ;)

UPDATE: Für Pub-, Kneipen- und Tablequizze gibt es dieses Jahr eine Rabattaktion: Sollte ein ganzes Pubquizteam anreisen, so müssen nur die ersten drei Teilnehmer die Gebühr entrichten, die restlichen Spielern wären davon befreit. Dies müsste dem Veranstalter aber zuvor mitgeteilt werden, um entsprechend planen zu können.

Wir werden Weltmeister, Weltmeister, Weltmeister sein...

Jayz and look what I just stumbled upon.
Quiz-Weltmeisterschaft. World Quiz Championship.

4 June.
2011.

In Berlin (at least the German part... of the Quiz WC, not Berlin :P).

Let's all go...(Peaches, ihr habt doch sicher schon reserviert, oder?LOL)
And from now on (Easter Eggstravaganza mal ausgenommen) we shall train hard(er).
Fun war gestern.
Well, eigentlich war der Spaß vorbei als geldgeile Leute angefangen haben Quizze in der Fabrik herzustellen.
Anyroad - until the WQC (WTF?!?!) rolls around we'll try to have good ole hand-made fun & fiese Frage... see you Monday, zum schon-mal-Üben.

Na logo

Working on the latest logo puzzle I happened upon this canny site. Logopedia. It reminds me of stutter, stammer, and that I absolutely have to see The King's Speech.. oh, no, that was logopaedia.. see, always mind your 'E's and 'A's...
But now excuse me while I go and dissect some logos. Back with much fun tomorrow.

Seid bereit!!

Wie erwähnt, ist Runde 3 am Donnerstag die Ostalgie-Runde. Und ich mußte mich arg zusammenreißen nicht ein ganzes Quiz draus zu machen. :D
Um dem Ganzen einen authentischen Anstrich zu verleihen werden wir nicht nur Ossi-Sonderpreise haben sondern diejenigen, die Accessoires & Anschauungsmaterial mitbringen (oder gar im FDJ-Hemd auftauchen.. meins paßt leider nicht mehr :)) kriegen Bonuspunkte. 'ne Flashe Fit im Konsum kaufen zählt gerade noch so :D

Gleiches gilt im übrigen für das große, gruselige Halloween-Quiz am 28. Es gibt Bonuspunkte für kostümiertes Erscheinen ('ne Pappmaske von Rossmann zählt da allerdings nicht), und Irish Harp Special Shots zum halben Preis... Nur mal so als Vorschau.

Sowohl für #50 am 21. Oktober und die Horror-Halloween-Special-Edition gelten die Anmelderegeln. Da wir Zeugs vorbereiten müssen für Sonderrunden u.a. zählen nur die Teams die bis spätestens zum jeweiligen Dienstag davor reserviert haben. Die anderen müssen sich in der Zwischenzeit still beschäftigen.. mit Pokemons und anderenDingen. Oder rauchen gehen...

Rest am Donnerstag.. immer lebe die Sonne, immer lebe der Himmel, immer lebe die Mutti....
und wer damals noch nicht geboren war - googeln oder Mutti fragen :D
Immer bereit!!!!
Und falls nicht, guckst du hier.



OH IHR HABT JA GAR KEINE AHNUNG WIE VIEL SPASS ICH GERADE HABE!!!!

Mystery solved

Those of you who remember the mystery object we had in #24 (?) and did not believe me when I said it was a bean slicer - I promised you proof. Guckst du hier.

Und wer von euch ungäubigen Thomassen immer noch zweifelt und sich so'n Ding gerne mal aus der Nähe betrachten möchte - guckt ihr hier. Up close and personal.. wäre auch mal 'n Macro-Foto wert :D

Poster puzzle me this

As usual, I was looking for someth.. ah, you know the story by now.
In case you ever find yourselves online and bored, try these really cool movie poster puzzles. I normally use the site for research on film posters and stuff but apparently it is as much about edumaction as it is entertaining. Might have given me an idea.
Talking about Given, ALLÉZ L'IRLANDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (apologies LN, I'll cheer for la belle France on Wednesday ;)

Seasons au soleil

More info, or rather correct info, on "Seasons in the sun": As I have been made aware of, the man who translated the lyrics, and first sang it, was Rod McKuen, Brel's friend and translator, and a totally fascinating character. His .. somewhat different... version can be found here... thanx dude, for that and l'original :)

I feel a very wicked cover version round coming up in Inquizition #16 ;)

And while we're on the subject of very intersting versions - nochmals heißen Dank Manthe for the Schlager-Beitrag. Der Videobeweis für den singenden Präsidenten hat mich doch total auf die Zeitreise geschickt :)

Dementis/denials & discoveries

First of all, the denial (in German "Dementi" - must have something to do with dementia). The Inquizition #15 next Monday is NOT the last one in November since November has 30 days so I'll see you for InQuizition #16 on Monday, 30 November.

And now the discoveries. As some of you might remember (or know), Bobby Darin was not the man who came up with the idea for "Beyond the Sea". Because the song with re-written lyrics in English was based on Charles Trenet's "La Mer".
And apparently it was not the first or the only time that American or Canadian writers and singers plundered la musique francophone.
I just totally stumbled upon the fact that

• "Seasons in the Sun" was not a 1974 Terry Jacks original. It was not even the English original. Earlier versions had been released by The Kingston Trio in 1963, The Fortunes in 1968 and by Pearls Before Swine in 1970/71. But... Jacques Brel (who happened to be Belgian) wrote and sang "Le Moribond" some 13 years before. Guckst du hier.

• And even more interesting, "My Way" was not a 1969 Sinatra original. Again, the English version was (lyrics by none other than Paul Anka) but.... the song was French to start with. Claude François penned and first recorded the song 2 years earlier. More on that here.That's another two 3-pointers for the next cover version round in the Harp (#17 on 7 December)

And if you want to do your own research or just be entertained and edumacated or guess what I'll be playing next - here's a great website I found... and my first choice blog for the interesting things in music is this one here. Check out the Originals series - amazing stuff.

Alreet quizzers, must get some sleep before tonight's Quiky, and need a few more questions and pictures too. Till then - have a good one.

Did U Know That....

This is the first post of probably many (or at least some) wherein I'll spread some of the interesting, intriguing or just immensely funny facts I've found while looking for something completely different. In no particular order, and most of them very likely useless in real life.
In the quiz universe though they might be worth a point or two. If you can remember them.
So, here goes. (Some of you might know some of these already but then, I bet you'll find something new too.)

Cover/Original versions
In The Army Now - I've always thought it was Status Quo. It's Bolland& Bolland (do NOT listen to the original if you like the song!!! :)
Black Magic Woman - written and first performed (less convincingly) by Fleetwood Mac.

Strange causes of death
Antoni Gaudi (he of the Sagrada Familia fame) - got run over by a tram, died 3 days later.

When playing at home, Olympique Marseille's team run out to Van Halen's "Jump". Every time they score, Puff Daddy's "Come With Me" is played.

And here's another source of useless knowledge.

And this one made me laugh. Not so Paris. She's threatening to sue the advertising agency.

The naked truth

That was the funnest (I know that's not a proper word :) and funniest (yes, there is a difference :) quiz night I had since.... the Mata Hari one. It might have had something to do with the relatively high percentage of T&A on display (and definitely with the 3 pints of Guinness - you evil people made me go back on my promise. Thanx :). And of course it had to do with the quality and sense of humour of the multi-cultural and multi-lingual teams :)
Anyroad, before I cover nude leftovers, here are the points.

Mummy Kazoo, if /when you read this - your boy done good!! Bit lacking in the arts department but I admit he was a tad distracted. Trying to spot the ball. As were the rest of his team.
So - to give yis all more to practise with, here's all you need to know about "what's-her-face-with-the-big-balls"...
yes, her..
Her name, in case you care, is Simona Halep. 17, Romanian. And the rest is here. Take a last long butchers because she's soon gonna be a tad flat.
And if you've just got into the ball-spotting thing, you might want to look here, or here, or here. I'm sure you can do the rest of your research on your own :) But whatever you do, do NOT look here. BTW - the full version of the "points" background - here.

Now, Inquizition # 15 next week is the last one in November as the Irish Harp is closed for a private Veranstaltung on Monday 23 (which gives me almost a whole week off. Yippeeeh!!!! Urlaub!!! :)
And since we don't have a Yogi theme I'm gonna pick one. Let's make it... The Moon. In history, science, technology, music, sports, advertising, film...
Round 1 could be Travel & Geography, Round 2 - Big Screen, Small Screen (aka Movie & TV).
Music is The Name Game. Songs with names in the title. Ya know, Mandy, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Lola, Johnny Walker, Jesse, Daniel, Jennifer, Alison, Phillipa, Sue, Deborah, Annabel, too... and Who TF is Alice??!
Keep swotting, here's an interesting and edumacating source for music trivia. More tips & links up here, demnächst. Watch this space. And have a good week.

Vertical genetix

As promised last night, here's the link to the website with (among lots of other cool and/or confusing pictures) the "vertical genetic experiments" (the one one the left I "borrowed" for yesterday's second slide... solution in comments)

I might nick one or two at some stage but the challenge is DIY. I'll sure give it a shot.
And to complete the set, here's last night's first one.

Happy pigs and highly recommended books

I'ts 2am and before I can't remember later today...

It's quiz night at the Happy Pig tonight (Friday) and I'm going.. if anyone cares to join me...here's where
Just 3 minutes off Ostkreuz.. cute little pub, (comparatively) cheap beer, and you can smoke :)
Quiz starts at 9pm, it's 50 questions on a sheet, 40 minutes time. No charge (as far as I know), and a bottle of whisk(e)y as first prize... rest of the details I forgot.


Recommended reading (not for the quiz :) Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, and 1984.

That's all she wrote today, leftover links, points, questions and pictures up here over the weekend.
Have a good one, see you next week...

New Year's Quiky - come again?!

See - told you it'd work :)

Was actually a great night. Well-behaved quizzers, more or less answers to all questions (her full name was Sophia Petrillo) and new friends (or rivals, depending on which side of the fence you're on).
For the doubting Tommys (and just to prove my reasoning that the one on the right could only have been Sarko because old Phil would never wear high heels), here's the picture that shows the order of feet 2008, both home and away team.

The rest of the pictures, some of the questions (and answers) as well as points & stuff will be up here before the end of the week as we know it.

Next Quiky is a "regular" one, a few leftovers, the usual BS and maybe one of the new features. Schaun' mer mal..

Oh, and for les cordons bleus - here's the website of the annual world bollocks cooking championships.... Mahlzeit!

Practice makes perfect

..well, at least there's no harm in trying..
Just got a mail from a former quiz "nut" - link to an online quiz website (yeah, I know, that's what I was thinking too... :). It's quite neat tho, no annoying advertising, no money involved and the prizes are .. well, not exactly the reason why I did it :) ...

It's a bit like "Who wants to be a Milllionaire", Sparversion :) and the first round (there's a new one every Tuesday methinx) was okay... actually gave me a few ideas for new questions/pictures :)

Anyroad, if you want to give a shot - here's the link .. (it's German only, mind... )



And you never know, some of the questions might come up one day.. :)