June 13, 2008 question

Millimeter waves are infrared rays. I'm surprised you didn't know that! Oh, wait. You did, if you are one of these people:

Charles
Elena
Micaela
Steve J (the J stands for Just Another Ray)
Steve T (the T stands for The Incredible Hulk)

Gamma rays are infrared, too, even though they make Bruce (or David) Banner go all green. They also can make topaz change from white to blue. Go figure.

Anyway, today is Friday the 13th, which means things are supposed to turn less lucky. Or unlucky. Or bad lucky. I don't know, I'm not that superstitious (knock on wood). Here's today's (cross your fingers) completely unjinxable trivia question:

According to a recent Dutch study, do more or less accidents occur on Friday the 13th's compared to Fridays that fall on any other date?

June 12, 2008 question

In Greek mythology, Hermes created the lyre . . . he was also considered the god of liars, believe it or not. Paul C (the C stands for Cheating, Lying Thief) and Islem knew that one. I should also give a shout out to my sisters Heidi and Kristin from whom I've withheld credit because of some unresolved conflict in my subconscious . . . here's your shout. Aaaaargh.

That's exactly the sound some passengers (and perhaps some security personnel) will be emitting as their bodies are scanned by the new see-through security machines being installed in airports across the country. What I love about this one is the fact that, although every inch of their bodies will be visible through the millimeter-wave scanners, people are supposed to be consoled by the fact that their faces will be blurred out. I'm sure more than one passenger will be overheard saying, "Well, I'm sure they could see the Benjamin-Franklin-shaped birthmark on my upper thigh and that unfortunate unspeakable rash . . . but at least he couldn't see my face." Or . . . "Hey, Honey, you've got some broccoli stuck in your teeth." "Really?! Oh, good thing they blur out your face on the scanner. That would have been embarrassing." Other reasons to feel better about the scans: pictures of your naked body will not be saved, printed, or posted to the Internet, AND, if you'd rather not be part of the all-nude airline revue, you can always choose the pat-down instead.

So in honor or dishonor of the Patriot Act peep show, here's today's question:

Are millimeter waves considered ultra-violet waves or infrared waves? (Hint: yes, one of those options is indeed correct . . . the answer isn't "No.")

June 11, 2008 question

It was Michael Dukakis (as played by Sam Waterston) who said that George (H W) Bush was in danger of becoming the Joe Isuzu of American politics. Yes, yes. He's the one politician who exaggerated, misled, and lied. Becoming known as the pathological liar of Washington is about as hard as becoming the floozy of Las Vegas . . . or the nerd at MIT . . . or the no-talent female starlet with issues. Maybe we could start a petition requesting that no politician can publicly accuse another of lying. It could be the "Yeah, we know, he lied, move on and tell us a better one" petition.

Here's yet another trivia question of compromised integrity:

According to Greek mythology, what god created the lyre?

June 10, 2008 question

A new study shows that drinking more than two cups of coffee a day can kill up to 10 billion brain cells . . . yes, that's billion. And, yes, those were brain cells. For the sake of comparison, inhaling the exhaust from an H2 for an hour kills 2 billion brain cells. Being electrocuted and clinically dead for 10 minutes and then being revived by paddles kills 3 billion brain cells. And watching the full season of The Great American Dog kills 6 billion brain cells.

In response to this study, I've decided to stop cold turkey. Yes, that's right, I will stop paying attention to studies. Oh, I'll keep drinking coffee, that's for certain . . . especially since I'm lying about the study. Okay, I'll also stop making up fake studies and delivering manufactured diatribes about how indignant I am about their ludicrousness. I'm sorry. I need help. Here's today's pathologically lying question:

Who quipped in a presidential debate that George Bush was the Joe Isuzu of American politics?

June 9, 2008 question

Well, this is one of those days when I couldn't award any trivia prizes
if I wanted to. I'm sure it will make the glory all the sweeter if and
when your vice president nomination predictions come true. I know mine
won't. When Rudy G. was a strong front runner for the Republican
presidential ticket, I predicted Obama would win the Dem side and choose
John McCain as his running mate. Probably won't happen, now. It would be
a crafty move on the part of the candidates, but I don't know if it's
100% allowed . . . it's at least frowned upon.

Anyway, today's question is a lot like Friday's, except it's the
opposite . . . just not the total opposite. More like a tail to Obama's
head . . . or a head to Obama's tail, you know, it's best if I just ask
the question:

Who will John McCain choose as a running mate in the 2008 presidential
election?

June 6, 2008 question

Richard Scarry is pronounced "scary," so the people who answered A) Berry (where the Canadian Andy Griffith lives) were right on. Here they are:

Jessie
Kristin
Larry
Andy
Robbie
Nancy K (the K stands for Kids Books Rock)

Big props to all y'all. I had no idea until I looked it up. Now today's question is a little different, because none of us can really know the answer just yet. Still, I think it ought to be pretty fun in the light of Obama and Clinton meeting privately to discuss . . . well, maybe to discuss the answer to this question:

Who will be Barack Obama's running mate in the 2008 presidential election?

June 5, 2008 question

So . . . I'm totally a bad person, and everyone was half right. Both Rocky and Bullwinkle have the names Bullwinkle J. Moose and Rocket J. Squirrel printed on their birth certificates . . . irrespectively. I waited an extra day to see if anyone would catch on to the zero hints I gave, but no one did. We gotta get somebody back on the board! Here's today's question:

Today is author and illustrator Richard Scarry's birthday . . . what does his last name rhyme with?
A. Berry
B. Hurry
C. Starry
D. Zoo