George With The Rutles

It was 11 years ago today that the world lost George Harrison.

In George's memory today, I thought I would pick a clip from George's overlooked comic turn as straight-man interviewer in the great Beatles parody, "The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash." George was close friends with Eric Idle, who created "The Rutles", and George appears in this YouTube clip, a parody of the trouble at Apple Records, with Michael Palin, at 0:53 of the clip, and also interviews Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood right after that.

We miss you George.

Trivia Q&A: November 27

There were 22 teams in for Trivia on Tuesday night, a night when it was cold and a bit rainy, but that doesn't keep my Trivia regulars away, no sir!

The numbers were rather strong for Current Events, but evened out a bit for Movies Trivia. General Knowledge had some good numbers, and we had five teams within four points of the lead. But we had something unusual happen. A team outside the Top 5 roared past everyone and grabbed a win. Mr. Team not only won, but won easily, by five points with a total of 49. They got all 5 IQ Trivia questions correct, and only one other team got as many as three correct. Congrats to Alex and his friends on the great comeback win.

Second place went to I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus' Lap with 44 points, and third went to I Like My Women Like I Like My Fiscal Cliffs: Big & Irresponsible with 42 points.

Best Team Name: I Can't Believe I Skipped Masturbating For This

Current Events
1. What video eclipsed Justin Bieber's "Baby" as the most viewed video of all time on YouTube this past weekend, with over 817 million views?
2. Ajmad Kasab, the only surviving attacker captured during terrorist attacks in 2008 in what foreign city, was hanged last week after his mercy petition was rejected?
3. 112 people were killed in a garment factory fire in which Asian country last Sunday?
4. What rock band celebrated their 50th anniversary with sold-out shows in London this past weekend, their first live shows in five years?
5. A construction company announced recently that it plans to build the tallest building in the world, 2,749 feet and 220 stories, next year in only 90 days in what country?
6. TMZ reported this past weekend that what controversial celebrity wrote a $100,000 check to Lindsay Lohan to relieve her tax problems?
7. What Oscar-winning actress got a restraining order against her ex-boyfriend after he and her current fiance got into a brawl at her home on Thanksgiving Day?

Movies Trivia
1. Marilyn Monroe won a Golden Globe in 1960 for what comedy film?
2. What 1979 comedy film was nearly not made and was rescued at the last minute when it was financed by ex-Beatle George Harrison?
3. What is director Steven Spielberg's highest-grossing film ever in the US?
4. What film is the highest-grossing movie in the US at the box office in 2012?
5. What 2005 film told the inspiring story of boxing champion James J. Braddock?
6. "Mean Streets" and "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" are two of the earliest films made by which Oscar-winning director?
7. What are the only two sequels to win the Oscar for Best Picture?

Did They Reach 40 Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. Hector "Macho" Camacho
2. Jerry Garcia
3. Princess Diana
4. John Lennon
5. John F. Kennedy Jr.
6. Bernie Mac
7. Keith Moon
8. Martin Luther King
9. Bob Marley
10. Judy Garland

General Knowledge
1. What female singer was the first winner on the TV show "American Idol?" ( 1 pt)
2. "Wild Blue Yonder" is the official song of what branch of the US military? ( 1 pt)
3. Gangster John Dillinger was killed by the FBI in 1934 in what US city? ( 1 pt)
4. What Beatles hit song has been covered over 1,000 times, the most of any song in history? ( 2 pt)
5. What NFL team has won the most Super Bowls? ( 2 pt)
6. "The Best Is Yet To Come" is enscribed on the tombstone of what legendary American entertainer? (2 pt)
7. What is the most commonly used word in written English? ( 2 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What future Oscar-winning director was the director of the first episode of "Columbo", the TV police drama that starred Peter Falk, in 1971? ( 5 points)
2. World Peace Day is observed annually during what month? ( 4 points)
3. Alaska and what other US state are the only ones to never record a temperature above 100 degrees in recorded history? ( 3 points)
4. What Oregon-based company was founded in 1964 as "Blue Ribbon Sports" and changed to its current name in 1978? ( 4 points)
5. Senator Edmund Muskie of Maine was the running mate with what unsuccessful 20th century presidential candidate? ( 4 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. "Gangnam Style;" 2. Mumbai; 3. Bangladesh; 4. The Rolling Stones; 5. China; 6. Charlie Sheen; 7. Halle Berry.

Movies Trivia
1. "Some Like It Hot;" 2. "Life of Brian;" 3. "ET;" 4. "The Avengers;" 5. "Cinderella Man;" 6. Martin Scorsese; 7. "The Godfather Part II" and "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King."

Did They Reach 40 Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. yes (50); 2. yes (53); 3. no (36); 4. yes (40); 5. no (38); 6. yes (50); 7. no (32); 8. no (39); 9. no (36); 10. yes (47).

General Knowledge
1. Kelly Clarkson; 2. Air Force; 3. Chicago; 4. "Yesterday;" 5. Pittsburgh Steelers; 6. Frank Sinatra; 7. the.

IQ Trivia
1. Steven Spielberg; 2. September 21; 3. Hawaii; 4. Nike; 5. Hubert Humphrey.

Movies & Dead People: Always a Good Combo

Trivia Night at Professor Thom's will feature this Tuesday night "Movie Trivia" as the Special Category. It will be seven questions on a broad spectrum of films throughout the years.

The Q Train lightning round will be "Did They Reach 40 Trivia." I will give you the names of ten famous people who died young, and you have to guess whether they reached the age of 40 before cashing in all of their chips.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"Wild Blue Yonder" is the official song of what branch of the US military?"

We get rolling just after 8:30 PM on Tuesday night. Hope many of you will make Trivia Night a part of your plans then.

No Percy Harvin? Now It's a Problem

The bye week is past and the tough part of the Vikings schedule began yesterday in Chicago.

The Bears came off a miserable performance in San Francisco last Monday night, so there was some hope for the Vikings.

But after kicking an early field goal at Soldier Field yesterday, it was all downhill for the Vikings.

Jay Cutler was back after suffering a concussion recently, and had a fine game. He led Chicago to three first half TDs, and one after an Adrian Peterson fumble. It was 25-3 at the break and it was pretty much all over. The Bears coasted into a 28-10 win.

Christian Ponder had a shaky game, going 22-for-43 for 159 yards, a TD (to Kyle Rudolph) and an interception. His favorite target, Percy Harvin, was forced to sit out another game with his ankle injury. Adrian Peterson was shut down in the first half with just 25 yards, but came alive after the break and finished with 108 yards rushing. He became the first Vikings running back to rush for 100 yards in 5 consecutive games.

It was a costly win for Chicago, as five regulars were lost to injuries, including Devin Hester and Charles Tillman.

The Vikings fell to 6-5, but were fortunate that Seattle, Tampa Bay, and especially Green Bay all lost yesterday. So there position in the playoff race is almost the same as it was going into yesterday's game.

Next Sunday will be another critical game, this time with the Packers in Green Bay. And I'm betting getting Percy Harvin back from injury will be absolutely necessary for the Vikings' chances of making it to the postseason this coming Sunday.

Off To Miami

It was an historic night in Los Angeles for Notre Dame last night.

They finished with an undefeated season, at 12-0, with a 22-13 win over USC, to assure a place in BCS championship game in Miami on January 7.

Back in September, I never thought I would be writing that last line.

The Fighting Irish opened the night with points in their first two drives, a field goal and a TD. USC hung tough with the Irish, and it was 16-10 at halftime. The game was a typical 2012 ND affair: grind it out and find a way to win. And have a bit of luck on your side.

It was 19-10 in the fourth quarter when USC was poised to score when head coach Lane Kiffin ran down the sidelines and signaled for a time out, just as the play was starting. QB Max Wittek threw a three-yard TD, but the refs had called the timeout. An incomplete pass than led to a USC field goal.

And the game was put on ice with another incredible Irish goal line stand. USC had first and goal from the three yard-line and was stopped on four straight plays, the last an incomplete pass that could have been a TD. (I really thought USC should have kicked the field goal there, as they needed two scores at that point anyway.)

It has been a simply amazing year for Notre Dame. The defense has dominated, as they allowed just ONE rushing TD all year. The offense has been good, but not great. The Irish will play the winner of the SEC title game next week: Alabama vs. Georgia. I would guess the Irish will be the underdog in that game, as most pundits think that either of those teams are more talented than Notre Dame. That may well be true.

But Notre Dame is just having one of those magical seasons. They are well-coached and always find a way to win. In his third season, Brian Kelly has will try to match what Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine and Lou Holtz all accomplished in their third seasons at ND: win a national championship.

Don't count them out, no matter who they will be playing on January 7th.

The Fighting Irish are back.

A New Cog In The Clubhouse

Could Jonny Gomes be the second coming of Kevin Millar?

Couldn't help thinking of KFC when I heard the Sox signed Gomes to a two-year, $10 million deal earlier this week. Gomes is a platoon player at best, as his numbers against lefties in 2012 was very good (.299 average), while against righties leaves a lot to be desired (.209). He's not a good outfielder, but neither was Millar.

Gomes is 32, and known as a very good clubhouse guy last year with the overachieving Oakland A's. I'm sure the Red Sox took that highly into account in making this move. What this means to the Sox bringing back Cody Ross is still to be seen, as they are very similar type players. Ross is looking for a three-year deal, while the Sox don't appear to budging to anything past two. Ross is also a good clubhouse personality, and as we have seen over the past two years in Boston, you can't undervalue that at all.

Gomes is probably just a cog in the rebuilding of the Boston Red Sox. The fans weren't jumping for joy over this move, but I don't recall and hooting and hollering when Kevin Millar signed with the Red Sox in 2003. I'll reserve judgment and see what they do next.

Just Thankful

I want to wish all of you out there a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. I hope you all enjoy yourselves with turkey, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce and football.

On this day, I am so thankful for all the blessings in my life, like a wonderful family and friends, good health, a roof over my head, and living in a country I love.

As I do every year, I'll let Linus and the Peanuts gang explain the first Thanksgiving, from their always-wonderful special.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

Baseball Will Be Here Three Months From Today

As winter is on its way with the speed of lightning, the Hot Stove is heating up in baseball. The Marlins recently blew up their team, sending many of their highest-priced played to the Toronto Blue Jays in a 12-player deal.

The Red Sox will be doing some major overhauling as well, and they have made just two significant moves: resigning David Ortiz and signing veteran backup catcher David Ross, both to two-year deals. Ross was a bit of a surprise, as most people thought that the Sox were settled at the backstop with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ryan Lavarnway. Now it appears one maybe traded.

John Farrell has most of staff in place, with Torey Lovullo as bench coach, Brian Butterfield third base coach, Juan Nieves pitching coach and former Pawtucket manager Arnie Beyeler first base coach. Gary Tuck returns as the bullpen coach. No word yet on who will be the hitting coach. (With thanks to John F for the correction on Tuck's return.)

The Sox also this week announced their Spring Training schedule for 2013. It's starting a week earlier this year, as the World Baseball Classic will be played in early March. (Pitchers and catchers report on February 12.) It kicks off with the usual suspects on February 21, the traditional games with Northeastern and Boston College. But the Sox usually start with the crosstown rival Twins when they start playing the MLB teams, but they will begin with the Tampa Bay Rays on February 23. The Sox play the Yankees twice and finish with the Twins at Ft. Myers on March 30.

Here is the complete Spring Training schedule, courtesy of Extra Bases:

Feb. 21: Doubleheader vs. Northeastern and BC, 1:35 p.m.
Feb. 22: Off day
Feb. 23: Rays, 1:35 p.m.
Feb. 24: At Cardinals, 1:05 p.m.
Feb. 25: Split squad at Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m.; Split squad at Toronto, 1:05 p.m.
Feb. 26: Cardinals, 1:35 p.m.
Feb. 27: At Orioles, 7:05 p.m.
Feb. 28: At Pirates, 1:05 p.m.
March 1: Pirates, 7:05 p.m.
March 2: At Twins, 1:05 p.m.
March 3: Yankees, 1:35 p.m.
March 4: Rays, 1:35 p.m.
March 5: Team Puerto Rico, 7:05 p.m.
March 6: Pirates, 1:35 p.m.
March 7: At Twins, 1:05 p.m.
March 8: Twins, 7:05 p.m.
March 9: Orioles, 7:05 p.m.
March 10: At Rays, 1:05 p.m.
March 11: At Marlins, 1:05 p.m.
March 12: Blue Jays, 1:35 p.m.
March 13: Off day
March 14: At Twins, 1:05 p.m.
March 15: Split squad at Baltimore, 1:05 p.m.; Split squad vs. Twins, 7:05 p.m.
March 16: At Rays, 1:05 p.m.
March 17: Rays, 1:35 p.m.
March 18: At Pirates, 1:05 p.m.
March 19: Orioles, 1:35 p.m.
March 20: At Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
March 21: Phillies, 7:05 p.m.
March 22: At Blue Jays, 1:05 p.m.
March 23: Pirates, 1:35 p.m.
March 24: At Phillies, 1:05 p.m.
March 25: At Orioles, 1:05 p.m.
March 26: Off day
March 27: Marlins, 1:35 p.m.
March 28: Twins, 7:05 p.m.
March 29: At Twins, 1:05 p.m.
March 30: Twins, 1:35 p.m.

Trivia Q&A: November 20

We had another fine turnout on Tuesday night for our Thanksgiving Trivia night, with 19 teams taking part in the festivities. The numbers were on the low side for Current Events and True or False Trivia, as I guess I made them both a bit too difficult.

Going into IQ Trivia, we had five teams separated by four points, but the team in third place, Who's Going To Miss Twinkies More? Cookie Monster or Elmo? got four of the five IQ Trivia questions correct and wound up jumping into the winner's circle with a total of 44 points and won by four points. Congrats to Gillian and her crew on their victory.

Second place was a tie between Silver Snakes and John Quinn: Medicine Cabinet with 40 points, but Silver Snakes was closest to the correct answer to, "How many total people attended the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621?" (It was 142.)

Best Team Name: Paula Broadwell Ate All of Petraeus' Cream Filling & Now There Are No More Twinkies

Current Events
1. What company is currently facing a $250 million class-action lawsuit for blasting customers with illegal text messages?
2. People magazine selected which 32-year-old film actor as its "Sexiest Man Alive" for 2012?
3. The daughter of what rock star was arrested and then released last week after allegedly overdosing on heroin?
4. Which US state has gotten over 100,000 signatures favoring the state to seceed from the union, the most of any state since President Obama's re-election?
5. Which film crossed the $500 million worldwide box office mark last week, becoming the highest grossing "R" rated comedy of all-time?
6. 50 children and the driver of a school bus were killed last Saturday when it was struck by a train in which Middle Eastern country?
7. What heavy metal band finally ended its boycott of iTunes and released their entire back catalog on the digital music store yesterday?

Thanksgiving Trivia
1. Which 20th century US president proclaimed that the fourth Thursday in November to be Thanksgiving Day?
2. In which decade did the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade take place?
3. What folk singer recorded "Alice's Restaurant", about a memorable Thanksgiving Day in his life?
4. Of the three utensils we use to eat (fork, spoon and knife), which was not present at the first Thanksgiving feast?
5. Name 1 of the 2 NFL teams that traditionally host an NFL game on Thanksgiving Day.
6. In what current US state was the first Thanksgiving held?
7. True or False: The Apollo 11 astronauts ate a Thanksgiving turkey dinner on the moon.

True or False Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. The palms of your hands and the soles of your feet cannot grow hair.
2. Iron is the most used metal in the world today.
3. Coal miner is the most dangerous job in America.
4. Abraham Lincoln was the first president to have a Christmas tree in the White House.
5. Black pepper is the most popular spice in the world.
6. A baseball will travel further in hotter temperatures than in cold.
7. FDR was the first president to deliver a speech on the radio.
8. The Hundred Years War actually lasted less than 100 years.
9. Ringo Starr's name translated into Japanese actually means "apple sauce."
10. India has the most post offices in the world.

General Knowledge
1. Aboriginals are indigenous to what nation? ( 1 pt)
2. Forrest Gump's mother told him that life is like what? ( 1 pt)
3. "The Great War" is a nickname for what 20th century conflict? ( 1 pt)
4. In literature, who was the captain of "The Pequod?" ( 2 pt)
5. How many US states border the state of Minnesota? ( 2 pt)
6. Rabat is the capital of what African nation? ( 2 pt)
7. What hotel/casino was founded by gangster Bugsy Siegel in Las Vegas in 1947? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What country denounced sloppy men's hairstyles in a state-run TV series in 2004 entitled "Let Us Trim Our Hair in Accordance With the Socialist Lifestyle?" ( 3 points)
2. What is the only US state that has an element in the periodic table named after it? ( 5 points)
3. The Queen Elizabeth Islands are found in what ocean? ( 4 points)
4. The three tallest statues in the world all depict what figure? ( 4 points)
5. Only two US presidents never gave a State of the Union address: William Henry Harrison and which other president? ( 4 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. Papa John's; 2. Channing Tatum; 3. Jon Bon Jovi; 4. Texas; 5. "Ted;" 6. Egypt; 7. AC/DC.

Thanksgiving Trivia
1. FDR; 2. 1920s (1924); 3. Arlo Guthrie; 4. fork; 5. Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys; 6. Massachusetts; 7. true.

True or False Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. true; 2. true; 3. false, fisherman; 4. false, Franklin Pierce; 5. true; 6. true; 7. false, Warren G. Harding; 8. false, 116 years; 9. true; 10. true.

General Knowledge
1. Australia; 2. a box of chocolates; 3. World War I; 4. Captain Ahab; 5. four (ND, SD, IA, WI); 6. Morocco; 7. Flamingo.

IQ Trivia
1. North Korea; 2. California; 3. Arctic; 4. Buddha; 5. James Garfield.

A Night To Give Thanks On Tuesday

As Thanksgiving approaches, a tradition we started many years ago at Trivia Night will be back this Tuesday Night. The Special Category will be "Thanksgiving Trivia," seven questions about that special holiday we eat tons of turkey and pumpkin pie on.

The Q Train lightning round will be "True or False Trivia."

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"'The Great War' is a nickname for what 20th century conflict?"

We will get going at 8:30 PM on Tuesday night, and we had a nice crowd in last week when Trivia returned after its short absence. I hope to see many of you then for a night of Turkey Trivia!

With Thanks To Baylor and Stanford

It was a walk in the park for Notre Dame yesterday, as they easily handled Wake Forest, 38-0, on Senior Day. This was the kind of game that worried me, with ND a heavy favorite with a big rivalry game to follow the following week.

There was no reason to be concerned.

Cierre Wood ran for a 68-yard TD on the Irish's first possession, and scored again after recovering a Forest fumble. Everett Golson threw the first of three TDs, and he threw for 346 yards on the day.

It was 31-0 at halftime, and the rout was on.

Wood rushed for 150 yards on 11 carries, including his opening TD burst.

The win makes the Irish 11-0 on the season, with just USC left on the schedule next Saturday.

And the Fighting Irish had some spectacular news later in the night, as the two undefeated teams in front of them both lost, the first time the number 1 and 2 teams in the country both lost on the same day. Number 1 Kansas State was hammered by Baylor, 52-24. It was the first time an undefeated team was beaten by a team under .500 in BCS history.

And number 2 Oregon lost in overtime to Stanford, 17-14 at Oregon.

So now, without question, Notre Dame will be ranked number 1 when the BCS polls are released later today. They are the last unbeaten team in the BCS. (Ohio State is also 11-0, but are on probation and not eligible.) A win over USC would assure a place in the BCS title game in Miami in January.

Just Another Reason To Forget 2012

So, just how bad were the 2012 Red Sox?

In the MVP vote that was just announced (deservedly won by Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera), not one Red Sox player got even one vote.

That is the first time that has happened in the history of the vote. Think about that. Since 1911, there has been 93 MVP awards given out in the AL in various forms. (There was none from 1915 through 1921, and in 1929 and 1930.)

The Red Sox have had some awful teams in that time span. Even the 1932 team, which went 43-111 and is the worst team in Red Sox history, had a player get an MVP vote. (I'm betting that would be Dale Alexander, who won the batting title that year.)

Who do you blame for this lack of MVP candidates in 2012? Bobby Valentine, of course.

Just another reason to wipe 2012 from the collective memory of Red Sox fans everywhere.

The Most Amazing Goal I've Ever Seen

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had the day of his life in an international soccer friendly against England on Wednesday, scoring four goals in a 4-2 Sweden win.

But the soccer world is abuzz over his fourth and final goal, in added time as Sweden was wrapping up the win. It was a bicycle kick that would make Pele proud,

Check this out. Pretty amazing:

Trivia Q&A: November 13

Our three week hiatus ended on Tuesday night, and Trivia Night was back in full swing with 20 teams taking part, with most of the regulars back in as well. It was so nice to see everyone back and get back to the serious business of Trivia!

Current Events may have had the lowest numbers because many of the questions were written by me a couple of weeks ago. But the numbers really picked up in Horror Movies Trivia and General Knowledge. It was really tight going into the final round, with two teams tied for first, and three teams all tied for third but just one point behind the leaders.

One of those teams in first, Bob Loblaw's Law Blog, Lobbing Law Bombs got four of five correct, and wound up winning the night with 52 points. Congrats to them winning for the third time in their last three times in on Trivia Night.

Second place went to Force Majeure with 49 points, and third was taken by I Already Gained 10 Pounds, So Now I Have to Get Pregnant with 46 points.

Best Team Name: David Petraeus' Middle East Strategy: Every Hole's a Goal

Current Events
1. What retail store chain was attacked by hackers recently, with the PIN pads in 63 of its stores compromised?
2.What rock legend narrowly avoided being in a helicopter crash last May when it was revealed last week the helicopter plunged suddenly near his English estate in bad weather but managed to land safely at a nearby airport?
3. What late actress was ranked number one in Forbes magazine's recent poll of the richest dead celebrities for the last 12 months?
4. China blocked what American newspaper's web site recently after they published an investigation of the wealth of the country's premier?
5. What rap star has been accused of sexual assault by a Los Angeles woman, but it adamantly denying the accusations?
6. Internet analytics company ComScore recently said which email service is number one in the world, with over 287 million unique visitors worldwide?
7. What company purchased Lucasfilm Ltd. from George Lucas for over $4 billion, acquiring the rights to the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises?

Pop Music Trivia
1. "Frank" was the 2003 debut album from what pop singer?
2. What Boston-based rock band won MTV's first Best Video Award in 1984?
3.What pop/rock band announced they were splitting up after 35 years during a concert in Australia this past weekend?
4. Jim Morrison of the Doors died in 1971 in what foreign city?
5. What hit Michael Jackson song did Eddie Van Halen play lead guitar on?
6. In 1987, who became the first female artist to debut on the Billboard album charts at number one?
7. What pop singer had the best selling album in the US for the year 2011?

Horror Movies Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. Halloween
2. Poltergeist
3. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
4. Night of the Living Dead
5. Psycho
6. Saw
7. Alien
8. Silence of the Lambs
9. Invasion of the Body Snatchers
10. The Sixth Sense

General Knowledge
1. In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated how many years as the UK's Queen? ( 1 pt)
2. The Country Music Hall of Fame is located in what city? ( 1 pt)
3. Lutz, axel and camel are terms associated with what sport? ( 1 pt)
4. What role made former Olympic swimmer Johnny Weismuller famous as a film actor? ( 2 pt)
5. According to the 2011 census, what Canadian province had the highest population? ( 2 pt)
6. What type of animal was Laika, the world's first space traveler sent up by the Russians in 1957? ( 2 pt)
7. What London street is synonymous with British journalism? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. In which of director Martin Scorsese's films do his parents both appear: his mother serving pasta and his father in jail? ( 3 points)
2. "Banned For Life From All Holiday Inns" was an alternate title for what classic rock guitarist's 2012 memoir? ( 4 points)
3. The Faroe Islands are an island group under the sovereignty of what European country? ( 4 points)
4. The Golden Hind was a ship that circumnavigated the globe and was captained by what 16th century navigator? ( 5 points)
5. The country formerly known as British Honduras is today called what? ( 4 points)

Answers
Current Events
1. Barnes & Noble's; 2. Paul McCartney; 3. Elizabeth Taylor; 4. New York Times; 5. Cee Lo Green; 6. Gmail; 7. Disney.

Pop Music Trivia
1. Amy Winehouse; 2. The Cars ("You Might Think"); 3. INXS; 4. Paris; 5. "Beat It;" 6. Whitney Houston; 7. Adele.

Horror Movies Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. 1970s (1978); 2. 1980s (1982); 3. 1970s (1974); 4. 1960s (1968); 5. 1960s (1960); 6. 2000s (2004); 7. 1970s (1979); 8. 1990s (1991); 9. 1950s (1956); 10. 1990s (1999).

General Knowledge
1. 60; 2. Nashville; 3. figure skating; 4. Tarzan; 5. Ontario; 6. dog; 7. Fleet Street.

IQ Trivia
1. "Goodfellas;" 2. Pete Townshend; 3. Denmark; 4. Sir Francis Drake; 5. Belize.

Happy Felix Unger Day To You All

Yes, today is Felix Unger Day! To all of you wondering what I'm talking about, remember the original opening of the classic "The Odd Couple" TV show?

"On November 13, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence. That request came from his wife. Deep down, he knew she was right, but he also knew that, someday, he would return to her. With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of his childhood friend, Oscar Madison. Sometime earlier, Madison's wife had thrown him out, requesting that he never return. Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?"

"The Odd Couple" is one of my all-time favorite TV sitcoms, and I never get tired of watching the show. It is still funny after all these years, because it was so well done. My DVR is set to record the show whenever it turns up. Over at Facebook there is a group called "Make Felix Unger Day a National Holiday." It's a cool group and worth joining.

So, in honor of this special day, here is a great clip from one of my favorite episodes: "Felix The Calypso Singer." Enjoy it, and have a great Felix Unger Day everyone!

OK, Let's Try This Again

It has been three weeks since our last Trivia Night at Professor Thom's, which was on October 23rd. We've had a hurricane, a presidential election and a snowstorm (albeit a relatively minor one). But, no matter how they try to stop us, Trivia Night will finally be back in the saddle again tomorrow night at 8:30 PM.

The Special Category will again be "Pop Music Trivia," which we would have done last week. It will be seven questions about music done during more recent times. The Q Train lightning round will be "Horror Movies Trivia." I will give you the names of ten classic horror films, and you will tell me the decade they were first released. And if you can give the exact year, I will give you an extra point. (BTW, remakes are not included in this category. Just originals.)

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"The Country Music Hall of Fame is located in what US city?"

We get rolling at 8:30 PM. I've missed all you guys, and hope everybody got through the last few weeks in good shape. Hope many of you can come out tomorrow night as Trivia Night at Professor Thom's gets back on its feet again!

No Percy Harvin? No Problem.

Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions was a must-win for the Vikings, with the brutal schedule they have in front of them. (Two with Chicago, two with Green Bay and one with Houston and St. Louis still to go.)

Rookie Jarius Wright stepped in for Harvin, and promptly caught a three-yard TD pass on the Vikings' first drive from Christian Ponder to give them a lead they would never give up. Wright also caught a 54-yard pass to set it up, which was the first catch of his career.

It would be a nice bounce back game from Ponder, who went 24-for-32 for 221 yards and 2 TDs. He hit Kyle Rudolph with a 20-yard TD in the fourth quarter, and the Vikings went for a 2-pt. conversion, and was successful, as Adrian Peterson ran it in and made it 24-10.

Peterson had yet another big game, gaining 171 yards on 27 carries. His 61-yard TD run in the fourth (pictured) put the Vikings up 31-17 midway through the period. Blair Walsh's 33 yard FG late in the game put it on ice, a 34-24 Vikings win.

Harvin sat out the game with an ankle sprain, and with the off week this week, he should be back for the next Vikings game on November 25th against Chicago at Soldier Field. The Bears loss put the Vikings 1 1/2 games behind the leaders of the NFC North.

The win broke a two-game losing streak put the Vikings at 6-4. They don't return to the Metrodome until they play Green Bay on December 9th.

10-0

Notre Dame won their tenth straight game to start a season for the first time since 1993 with a hard-fought 21-6 win over Boston College last night.

Everett Golson threw for two TDs and ran for another. Notre Dame scored on its first possession, a methodical drive that ended with a two-yard Golson TD run.

It was 14-3 at halftime, and Notre Dame went on cruise control after Golson found John Goodman in the end zone on Notre Dame's opening drive of the third quarter to make it 21-3.

The Irish defense took over and allowed just a BC field goal in the fourth quarter.

Notre Dame was the fourth-ranked team in the BCS going into yesterday, but with Alabama's upset loss at home to Texas A&M, the Irish will move up in the polls that will be announced later today. Both Oregon and Kansas State won easily yesterday as well, so the guess here is that the Irish will be ranked third, behind Oregon and Kansas State (in that order).

The Irish take on Wake Forest in their final game at South Bend this season, and will close the regular season at USC on November 24th.

What's Next? Locusts?

Trivia Night didn't happen last night, as the bad weather kept the regulars away, and we didn't have enough people to have a proper edition of Trivia.

So, for the second straight week, Trivia Night is off. We will be back (I hope) this coming Tuesday night, November 13th at 8:30 PM.

Unless we have an earthquake, tornado or an invasion of locusts that evening.

Hope everyone got through the storm last night OK. See you next Tuesday.

Cross Your Fingers: Trivia's On For Wednesday

As all of you undoubtedly know, more bad weather is heading for New York City and the Northeast on Wednesday. Fortunately, it will be nothing like Hurricane Sandy last week, but it still maybe nasty out there.

But as of now, Trivia at Professor Thom's will go on as now scheduled. The bar is having a night dedicated to the presidential election tonight, so we have moved Trivia to Wednesday this week. As long as it is not too bad, I plan to be in.

I will keep you all informed with updates here on the blog and at Facebook should the situation warrant it.

The Special Category for tomorrow night will be "Pop Music Trivia." It will be seven questions on the broad spectrum of music, mostly from the recent past. The Q Train lightning round will be "Horror Movies Trivia." I will give you the names of ten classic horror films, as you have to tell me which decade it was originally released in (no remakes). I'll give you an additional point if you give the exact year it originally released.

The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
"The Country Music Hall of Fame is located in what US city?"

Hopefully everything works out OK and we can do Trivia on Wednesday night at 8:30 PM. If not, we will postpone Trivia again this week and have the next night the following Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed, stay safe, and don't forget to vote today!

The Quote of The Year

And it comes from David Ortiz, during the press conference on Monday to announce he's returning to the Sox, and in response to that asinine statement that ex-Red Sox manager (boy, how I enjoy writing that) Bobby Valentine made about how Big Papi "shut it down" after the big trade with the Dodgers on August 25th:

" . . . After he went on national TV to say what he said, he sent me a text message trying to tell me that it was the media trying to change things. I did not respond to the message and I said to myself, this guy must have some mental issues or needs medicine or something? I said, I am dealing with someone crazy and I am not going to drive myself crazy, so it is better if I leave it alone."

Amen, Papi.

How in the world did this jackass ever become the Red Sox manager?

Trivia Is Tentatively Scheduled For Wednesday Night

This week's Trivia Night at Professor Thom's will NOT be happening this Tuesday night, as the bar will be having a night for the "election night junkies", watching the returns of this presidential election come in.

So, we are TENTATIVELY moving this coming week's Trivia to Wednesday night, November 7th, at 8:30 PM. It is tentative, as another storm will be reaching the Northeast that day, with high winds and rain forecast for most of the day and into Thursday.

Obviously, if the weather gets too severe, we will postpone Trivia Night again until next week. So stay tuned to the blog for further updates.

I will have the Sneak Peek question and Special Categories on the blog on Tuesday.

Stay safe everyone.

An Undefeated Championship Season Is Still Alive

But just barely for Notre Dame.

It looked for all the world like underdog Pittsburgh was going to pull the upset on the Fighting Irish on Saturday. The ND offense looked sluggish, and could get little going on offense for nearly three quarters.

It was 20-6 Pitt late in third quarter when the Irish showed signs of life, as T.J. Jones caught an 11-yard TD pass from Everett Golson as the fourth quarter started. But Kyle Brindza, who had not missed a PAT all season, shanked the kick wide left, and it was 20-12.

With four minutes to play, Golson was picked off in the end zone, and it looked like the dream was over. But Pitt went three and out, and ND went down the field, and with just over two minutes left, Golson found Theo Riddick in the end zone to make it 20-18. The Irish went for two, and Golson ran it in (pictured) to tie it up at 20-20.

Both teams exchanged field goals in the first OT. In the second, Pitt had a chance to win it after Cierre Wood fumbled on the one yard line. But Kevin Harper's 33-yard field goal went wide right and the Irish were still breathing.

Pitt kicked another FG to open the 3rd OT, and the Irish drove down the field, and from the one-yard line, Golson sneaked it in to give the Fighting Irish their ninth straight win of 2012.

It sure wasn't pretty, but championship teams find ways to win games like this. ND was clearly outplayed by a tough Pittsburgh team. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

The two ranked teams ahead of Notre Dame, Alabama and Kansas State, both won, so the Irish figure to stay at number three in the BCS rankings.

Next up for the Irish next week is Boston College at Chestnut Hill.

Large Father Returns For Two More

To the surprise of just about no one, David Ortiz and the Red Sox agreed to a two-year, $26 million deal, with incentives that could reach $30 million.

Rumors surfaced yesterday that the Texas Rangers had some interest in signing Papi, and the Sox had until midnight to lock him up, or he would hit the open market.

All of the other Red Sox eligible did indeed become free agents, including Cody Ross, who the Sox showed real interest in signing to a new deal.

The other free agents are: Aaron Cook, James Loney, Vicente Padilla, Scott Podsednik and Daisuke Matsuzaka. The only ones I could possibly see returning are Padilla and Ross.

Next Week's Trivia Still In a Holding Pattern

As I write this on Friday morning, no decision has yet to be made about next week's Trivia Night.

Professor Thom's is still without power, and the subways in the area are still not running. Obviously without the subway, I can't get in. But hopefully service will be restored by early next week to that area.

We hope to be doing Trivia either Tuesday night, November 6th or Wednesday night, November 7th. As soon as more information becomes available, I will pass it along to you immediately.

I hope all of you are doing OK through his very difficult time, and I hope to see you next week.