Subject: Message in a Gerbil Packet Date: Fri, 5 Mar 1999 18:45:38 -0500 (EST) From: Timothy J Young To: horwitz@cs.stanford.edu CC: cahille@math.byu.edu, dmlevins@uclink4.berkeley.edu Beltway Bandits III Message In a Gerbil Packet 1. The Eurogliders say it must be there. The Cocteau Twins can't choose between it or Las Vegas. The Pixies' monkey went there. Shaun Cassidy says it's in your eyes. KISS says it's on fire. FTP, name this place, the door of which Bob Dylan and many others have knocked on, and which Belinda Carlisle asserts is a place on Earth. A: HEAVEN 2. "He died from old age. He hasn't been well," remarked Tara Wilson, a spokesperson for the town of Wiarton, Ontario, his home. British Columbia Parlimentarian Jay Hill eulogized him saying "Alas, the only shadow he saw this weekend was the shadow of death. Rest in peace, my furry little friend." So ended the life of, FTP, what albino groundhog, the Canadian equivalent of Punxsutawny Phil, who died on Groundhogs Day? A: WILLY 3. Born in 1961 in Calgary, he played pro baseball in Canada and was in the Seattle Mariners farm system before an injury ended his career. Turning to his love of comics, he worked his way into a position at Marvel, penciling Scorpio Rose. He later did a year's run on The Hulk starting with issue 330, and did three issues of Detective Comics. But it was his turn with Spider-Man, starting with issue 298, that made his name in comics. FTP, name this figure in comics who went on to co-found Image Comics and created its best known comic, Spawn. A: Todd MACFARLANE 4. When a problem comes along, before the cream sits out too long, when something's going wrong, when a good time turns around, you will never live it down, no one gets their way, into shape, shape it up, get straight, go forward, move ahead, try to detect it, it's not too late, to FTP, do what, according to the 1981 Devo song. A: WHIP IT 5. The Eyes of the Sphinx argues that the pyramids in Egypt all related to ancient astronomy and alien visitation. Signs of the Gods claims that the Ark of the Covenant was a small nuclear reactor that made manna. Arrival of the Gods explains the Nazca Lines in Peru as guides for an alien landing site. And The Return of the Gods examines the literature of major religions for evidence of alien visitation. These are some of the books by, FTP, what author who first grabbed headlines with his 1967 entry into the ancient alien visitation theme, Chariots of the Gods? A: Erich VON DANIKEN 6. Written by Jim Weatherly, Cissy Houston recorded a version of it in 1972 but found no chart success. The following year, a group that had just joined Buddha Records after six-plus years at Motown, recorded the same version of the song, though without hearing Houston's version. It became a number 1 hit, R&B and pop, and earned the group, Gladys Knight and the Pips, a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Group Performance. Name this song, FTP, which was originally about a late night plane trip to Houston. A: MIDNIGHT TRAIN TO GEORGIA 7. The evil witch Gruntilda kidnaps Tooty so she can steal Tooty's beauty. Tooty's brother and a sidekick head out to rescue Tooty. To do this they need the help of good witch Brentilda, a mole named Bottles who teaches the duo moves to get past obstacles, and Mumbo Jumbo, a former henchman of Gruntilda's who wants to overthrow her. Our heroes make their way through Gruntilda's lair by collecting Jiggies, which allow passage to higher levels. So goes the story in, FTP, what video game for Nintendo 64, named for its heroes, a bear and a bird. A: BANJO-KAZOOIE 8. TWO ANSWERS REQUIRED. The current breakup of the Western Athletic Conference isn't its first loss of teams. Charter WAC members who joined in 1962 from the Border Conference, between them they won 9 conference titles in football (among other sports) before quitting the conference in 1977. FTP, name these schools, state-sponsored institutions from the same state, which left the WAC and upped the Pac-8 to the Pac-10 in 1978. A: University of ARIZONA and ARIZONA STATE University 9. It aired on CBS July 17, 1984, with Bill Bixby directing. Meeno Peluce played Elstin, and Victoria Jackson played Victoria. The third attempted spinoff of a wildly successful show, it followed the title character as he left Ottumwa, Iowa, to join the St. Louis police force. FTP, name this sitcom pilot, which marked a failed comeback attempt for Gary Burghoff. A: W*A*L*T*E*R 10. Pressure Point, Fire and Ice and Death Waits for No Man, were just a few of the working titles of this film, due out later this year. Robbie Coltrane will reprise his role as Valentin Zukovsky, who was given a limp by the film's protagonist. Denise Van Outen will play Dr. Greatex, while John Cleese will have a cameo as R. Samantha Bond. Judi Dench and Desmond Llewelyn also pick familiar roles, while Sophie Marceau and Denise Richards become the latest bond babes in, FTP, this 19th installment of the James Bond series. A: THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH 11. The 1998 championships in this sport marked their 40th anniversary and were held at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas from December 4-13. A total of $4.2 million in purse money - the largest in the sport's history - was awarded to competitors in 9 events. Ty Murray holds the record for money earned in a single season with $297,896 in 1993. 1998 champions included Rod Warren in Saddle Bronc Riding, Mark Gomes in Bareback Riding and Cody Ohl in Calf Roping. FTP, name the sport. A: RODEO 12. He stole the 400 Year Bloom, but was foiled in trying to have it bloom the wrong way by playing unhappy music around it. He also tried to take over The City with a special crop-dusting spray that animated plant life. He was foiled then by heroes dressed as corn soldiers. Aided by the Bee Twins and wearing a matador outfit, he is the animated world's most dangerous sunflower. Name, FTP, this vaguely Spansih-sounding named villian in The Tick. A: EL SEED 13. Private Reiben, Medic Wade, Private Jackson, Corporal Upham, Private Mellish, Sergeant Horvath, Private Caparzo, Captain Miller. FTP, this platoon was made famous last summer on what mission, the subject of the 1998 Golden Globe winner for Best Drama. A: Saving PRIVATE RYAN 14. Bessie Got Milked, Splat the Road Kill Cat, stuffed Meanies dolls, Chicken Croquet by Milton Bradley, and a live-frog habitat called Surf Frogs were on the list. So was the McDonaldland Deluxe Happy Meal Playset, because it includes plastic models of cow and chicken flesh. FTP, name the organization, whose protected ranks apparently now include the stuffed kind as well, that compiled this list of toys that "encourage disrespect and even cruelty to animals." A: PETA or PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS 15. Hooperman, Brother's Keeper, Freebie and the Bean, Too Close for Comfort, Nine Months, Crazy Like a Fox, Desperate Measures, Foul Play, Mrs. Doubtfire, McMillan and Wife, Basic Instinct, The Game, Father's Day, Dirty Harry, The Dead Pool, Nash Bridges, Party of Five, 48 Hrs., and, of course, The Fan, are all set in, FTP, what city? A: SAN FRANCISCO 16. Kids on a camping trip drive dad crazy in "The Boys." Incompetent mobsters try to bring Mob rule to Minneapolis in "Cosa Minapolidan." An incredibly bad boxer becomes an equally inept private dick in Destiny. Another private eye copes with having his ear bitten off in "A Fever in the Blood." Other stories include "The Old Country," "Have You Ever Been to Electric Ladyland," "It Is an Ancient Mariner," "I Killed Phil Shapiro," "Johnnie Ga-Botz," and "Hecter Berlioz, Private Investigator." FTP, name this anthology, the first book from Ethan Coen. A: GATES OF EDEN 17. The medical chairman of the IOC, Prince Alexandre de Merode, called this substance food when he said, "You can't prevent people from eating food. You can get ill if you take too much (of this), but if a person stuffs himself with 30 eggs or a kilo of foie gras, he'll damage his liver too." For 10 points, name this naturally occurring amino acid present in the body which allows for a longer and more productive workout by limiting the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles. A: CREATINE 18. The cast of this 1958 film includes Charles Boyer, Lorne Greene and E.G. Marshall. It marked Anthony Quinn's lone directorial effort and executive producer Cecil B. DeMille's last contribution to film. Charlton Heston stars as General Andrew Jackson defending New Orleans during the War of 1812 who was forced to turn to the pirate Jean Lafitte, played by Yul Brynner, for help. FTP, name this film which shares its name with individual members of an NFC Central franchise. A: The BUCCANEER 19. Her big screen debut was as a Fembot in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. She also played a tennis instructor in the Carrot Top opus Chairman of the Board and will return in this summer's Austin Powers 2: The Spy who Shagged Me. She is much more famous for her appearances on smaller screens, as Yahoo Internet Life magazine named her the most downloaded woman on the net for the 3rd straight year. FTP name this Howard Stern fave. A: Cindy MARGOLIS 20. Julius Erving's Philadelphia 76ers lost in the Finals to the Lakers in 1982, the year he appeared as a guest. Martina Navratilova lost her first Wimbledon in 1988, the year she was a guest. Bo Jackson appeared on this show in 1990, the year he broke his hip. David Robinson appeared on this show in 1996, the year he broke his foot and appeared in only 6 games. Luckily for the Broncos, Terrell Davis overcame his song and dance routine with a singing football, Telly and Elmo on, FTP, what show? A: SESAME STREET 21. He was a walk-on back-up quarterback for Lou Holtz at North Carolina State, graduating magna cum laude in 1975. He received his medical degree from Wake Forest University in 1979, and is currently director of emergency room services at Memorial Hospital-Flagler in Bunnell, Fla. He was the first man on the scene after Rusty Wallace's near fatal crash at Bristol, Tenn. in 1988, and directed the rescue efforts. Oh yeah, do ti to me baby, oh yes, oh yes, harder, harder. His broadcasting career began on the radio at the 1979 Daytona 500, and he broke into television in 1982 on WTBS. FTP, name this broadcaster, who has manned the pits for ESPN since 1984 and the college football sidelines since 1989. A: Doctor Jerry PUNCH 22. This Decorah, Iowa college's website boasts that US News & World Reports ranked it between 90 and 113 among liberal-arts colleges. A member of the Division III Iowa Conference, the big sport on campus is women's basketball, where the Norse have gone to the NCAA tournament five times in the 90's, including the past three seasons. Its main concert hall, the Center for Faith and Life, is best known for hosting a duo usually associated with Charlottesville, Virginia. FTP, name this college, the site of a 1996 Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds concert recently issued on CD. A: LUTHER College 23. This company was started in 1986 by the founder of the Franklin Mint. Its president, Doug Briggs, works out of their headquarters in West Chester, PA. It adds 110,000 new customers each month. For 10 points, name this television network and merchandise company which boasts such hosts as Jane Rudolph Treacy and Mary Beth Roe, such celebrity shills as Tova Borgnine and Joan Rivers and such merchandise lines as Diamonique and the Joan Rivers Classic Collection. A: QVC or Quality, Value, Convenience 24. The name's the same: a top-10 hit for Roy Orbison in 1963, later put to effective use in Blue Velvet, and, FTP, what 1999 Neil Jordan movie starring Annette Bening and Robert Downey Jr.? A: IN DREAMS BONUS 1. Using the same idea that gave us Scrappy Doo and Pepsi One, Parker Brothers is trying to revive interest in product by running a contest to choose a new token for Monopoly, with the winner to be announced next month. FTPE, name the three choices put forth as possible new pieces. A: BIPLANE, PIGGY BANK, MONEY SACK (accept equivalents) 2. Given a trio of books that you might have used to write questions for this very tournament, name their author FTPE. a. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Albums, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, Billboard Top 1000 Singles 1955-1992 b. The Browser's Book of Beginnings, Sexy Origins and Intimate Things, Extraordinary Endings of Practically Everything and Everybody c. Big Secrets, Bigger Secrets, Biggest Secrets A: a. Joel WHITBURN b. Charles PANATI c. William POUNDSTONE 3. While Budweiser and Pepsi had the lion's share of ads during Super Bowl 33, some companies managed a word in edgewise. FTSNOP, name the company based on their ad. a. FFP, this computer maker used HAL to note that their computers have always been Y2K compliant, and that their users were the only ones to avoid a worldwide financial catastrophe. b. FTP, the same ad by this company finished in the bottom five of USA Today/Ad Meter's rankings twice, as it was shown twice. Apparently, images of movie stars in black and white aren't that appealing, even for a company based on movies. c. F15P, while it was technically an ad for Mail Boxes Etc., the ad within the ad was for what ice-cream based small business? A: a. APPLE b. BLOCKBUSTER Video c. JEREMY'S MICRO-BATCH Ice Cream 4. Identify the director from works, 30-20-10. 30: DC Cab, Cousins, The Incredible Shrinking Woman 20: St. Elmos Fire, The Lost Boys, Falling Down 10: Batman & Robin, Batman Forever, 8MM (Eight Millimeter) A: Joel SCHUMACHER 5. Name the pet from the comics FTSNOP. a. FFP, this animal in the Garfield comic strips is actually owned by Jon's now-invisible roommate, Lyman. b. FTP, this sweater-eating sister-kissing lizard is Jason Fox's pet on Fox Trot. c. F15P,.name Snoopys rotund sibling, usually depicted wearing a hat with earlaps. A: a. ODIE b. QUINCY c. OLAF 6. It is the the one time in the NHL where the hunted becomes the hunter, a goalie scores a goal. For only the fifth time in history, a goalie scored a goal during All-Star weekend. Unfortunately, it was during a facet of the skills competition. For 5 points, name him. A: Dominik HASEK Now, for 5 points each, name the other three goalies who have scored during game play and for a bonus 5 points, indicate which of the three has scored twice. A: Ron HEXTALL, Chris _OSGOOD_, and Martin _BRODEUR_ _HEXTALL_ has scored twice. 7. Given a performer's real name, give his/her better-known stage name F15PE, or 5P if you need a hit song or two. a. 15: Leslie Sebastian Charles 5: Caribbean Queen, Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car b. 15: Darren O'Brien 5: Girl, I've Been Hurt, Informer A: a. Billy OCEAN b. SNOW 8. FFPE, and a bonus 5 for all, name the five flavors of iMac. A: BLUEBERRY, TANGERINE, STRAWBERRY, LIME, GRAPE 9. FTSNOP, answer these questions related to aliases used for people and things in the movies. a. FFP, In films, this name has been used to hide the directors of such junk as Morgan Stewart's Coming Home and The O.J. Simpson Story. A Joe Esterhaz film about this "man" actually wound up being directed by him when Arthur Hiller didn't want his name on the film. b. FTP, also known as a Weenie, Alfred Hitchcock coined this term for an item or piece of information in a film which the characters consider important but the viewer never sees or learns about. Examples include the engine plans in The 39 Steps and the contents of the briefcase in Pulp Fiction. c. F15P, this name is typically used by actresses when they don't want to use their real name. Derived from the male equivalent used primarily on the American stage, Dorothy May used it as her name in almost 50 porn films, including The Devil In Miss Jones. A: a. ALAN SMITHEE b. MACGUFFIN c. GEORGINA SPELVIN 10. 30-20-10-1 Name the competitive endeavor from clues 30: The first US version was patented in 1901, but it had previously been developed in Western Europe. It became popular after World War II as it was used in the rehabilitation of many veterans. 20: Leagues first appeared in Belgium in the 1950s, and in 1976, leagues from different countries began competition for the European Cup. By 1979, the prize purse was $250,000, and millions of dollars can now be won on the US circuit. 10: The standard table contains a 2 sets of 5-man bars, a 3-man offensive bar, a 2-man defensive bar and a 3-man goalie bar. 1: The rules, history, top players and trick shots for this sport can be found at www.foosball.com. A: FOOSBALL (accept TABLE SOCCER except for 1 point clue) 11. Answer these questions about books on the Amazon Hot 100 as of Friday, February 12 FTPE. a. Three of the books were on investing, written by David and Tom Gardner under what general title? b. You'd think Tony the Tiger wrote them, but this woman is actually behind the two ranked books in the Grrrreat Sex series. c. Andrew Morton is the author of the only book on the 100 that's not yet published. Name the book, a much-awaited biography on the US's best known human humidor. A: a. MOTLEY FOOL b. Laura CORN c. MONICA'S STORY 12. Name the German musical group given how their 1984 went FTSNOP a. FFP, this group formed by Rudolph and Michael Schenker completed their US breakthrough with singles like "Rock You Like A Hurricane" and "Big City Nights" from the album Love At First Sting. b. FTP, Sascha Konietzko and Udo Sturm formed what would become this band in 1984. While their fans mused on the meaning of their name for years, according to the group it's an acronym for the phrase "no pity for the majority" in German. c. The single "Big In Japan" off of their album Forever Young put them on the charts in 1984, but they lacked similar success with other singles. Lead singer Marian Gold tried to sound like Bryan Ferry, but didn't. A: a. The SCORPIONS b. KMFDM c. ALPHAVILLE 13. There aren't many players in the NBA who can claim to be their alma mater's only representative at the start of the 1999 season. There are even fewer teams with 3 of these players on them. Luckily for this question writer, there are at least 3. Given the lone wolf schools, name the NBA team for 10. If you need the players, you get 5. a. 10 - UC-Irvine, Central Connecticut State, Pacific 5 - Scott Brooks, Keith Closs, Michael Olowokandi b. 10 - Central Arkansas, Valparaiso, Penn 5 - Scottie Pippen, Bryce Drew, Matt Maloney c. 10 - American International, Navy, Drexel 5 - Mario Elie, David Robinson, Malik Rose A: a. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS b. HOUSTON or ROCKETS c. SAN ANTONIO or SPURS 14. While J.R. Ewing's swinging was legendary on Dallas, little brother Bobby actually topped him in planned trips down the aisle, even though one woman jilted him twice. You'll get 5 for the first, 10 for the second and 15 for the third for naming all 3 of Bobby's fiances. A: PAMela Barnes Ewing, JENNA Wade, APRIL Stevens 15. Name the Beatles hanger-ons, FTSNOP. a. For five, he once brought John Lennon to orgasm manually in Spain; "Youve Got to Hide your Love Away" was written for him. b. For ten, after wowing the Beatles with various electronic gadgets, they created Apple Electronics for him. He promised the group a 78 track recording system at Apple, but failed miserably, using German machines and even forgetting to install an intercom between the booth and the studio. c. For fifteen, manager and whiz at getting musicians overlooked royalties, he became the manager for the Fab Four (except for Paul) in 1969. While he got the group better deals with record companies, his hiring of Phil Spector to make the album that became Let It Be indirectly led to Paul's quitting, given Spector's changes to The Long And Winding Road. A: a. John Alexis MARDAS b. Alan KLEIN 16. 30-20-10, name the actress. 30: She received the most votes, 3 out of 6 voters, as the Best Dressed Woman at the recent Golden Globe Awards from the panel on E!'s Fashion Review Show. 20: Films you'll see her in in 1999 include Pushing Tin, The Bone Collector, and Girl, Interruped. 10: Recent past work for this daughter of Jon Voight included the title role in HBO's biopic Gia, and her coupling with Ryan Phillipe in Playing By Heart. A: Angelina JOLIE 17. 30-20-10, name the actor. 30 : He received the most votes, 3 out of 6 voters, as the Best Dressed Man at the recent Golden Globe Awards from the panel on E!'s Fashion Review Show. 20: His only 1999 film appearance will come in Three To Tango. You may remember him from playing Frantz in Hamburger Hill and Jason Latcherie in Steel Magnolias. 10: Currently, you can see him every Sunday night at 10 PM on ABC playing Bobby Donnell on The Practice. A: Dylan _MCDERMOTT_ 18. As if John Grey doesn't deserve his own level of hell for Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, he then went on to write five more books based on what Venus and Mars are doing. FFPE, and a bonus 5 for all, name these books. A: MARS AND VENUS IN LOVE, MARS AND VENUS ON A DATE, MARS AND VENUS IN THE BEDROOM, MARS AND VENUS STARTING OVER, MARS AND VENUS TOGETHER FOREVER 19. Everyone knows the 4 lovable South Park scamps, but name these hangers-on from the mountain town for 10 points each. a. Name the school nurse with conjoined twin myslexia, aka having a dead fetus stuck to your head. b. Name the screaming bus driver with the bird's nest in her hair. c. You'll get 5 for the first and 5 for the last for naming Stan's sort-of girlfriend who always makes him puke A: a. Nurse GOLLUM b. Miss CRABTREE c. WENDY TESTABURGER 20. The Chicago Cubs surprising return to the playoffs last year means that all but 6 major league teams have made the playoffs in the 1990s, excluding the two most recent expansion teams. For 5 points each, name them. A: NEW YORK METS, DETROIT or TIGERS, MILWAUKEE or BREWERS, MONTREAL or EXPOS, KANSAS CITY or ROYALS, CALIFORNIA or ANAHEIM or ANGELS 21. Girl Scout cookie time again, and you've probably bought a few, but what is everyone else buying. You'll get 5 points for naming the 5 highest selling cookies in 1998, plus a bonus 5 for all 5. Sorry, no cookies. A: THIN MINTS, CARAMEL DELITES (accept Samoas), TAGALONGS (accept Peanut Butter Patties), DO-SI-DOS (accept Peanut Butter Sandwiches), TREFOILS or SHORTBREAD 22. 30-20-10 Name the film from quotes 30: We're in this for the species, boys and girls. It's simple numbers. They have more. And every day I have to make decisions that send hundreds of people like you to their deaths. 20: It's OK, because I got to have you, Johnny. 10: It's an ugly planet. A bug planet. A: STARSHIP TROOPERS 23. Minor league baseball is an ever-changing collection of teams with new cities, nicknames and league affiliations. And that's just in Pennsylvania. Give the city and nickname of the team described, you'll get 10 points. City alone gets you 5 for good guessing. a. This team is moving up to the Eastern League after 7 seasons in the New York-Penn League, and has changed its logo from its eyepatched mascot to one in the crow's nest. b. This oddly chosen Western Pennsylvania city will join the Eastern League with one of the worst nicknames in baseball, chosen for its famous roadway oddity. c. After 4 years as the Cubs affiliate in the New York-Penn League, this city picked up the Pirates, who defected from Erie and chose a nickname fitting with its logging heritage. A: a. ERIE SEAWOLVES b. ALTOONA CURVE c. WILLIAMSPORT CROSSCUTTERS * Tim Young (tjyoung@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu) GWU Law School '99 * * Dartmouth College '96 * * "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible." F. Zappa *