Mastermind

You know, I had seen this show years ago somehow and it still holds up all these years later! If you don't know, Mastermind is probably the most intellectual game show on earth (unless you know another).

So it goes like this - when you register for the show you have to give them an area of expertise you want to be quizzed on during the first round of the show. You can pretty much pick anything you want as long as there's enough material to base questions on. Examples of topics include: European Birds, Anne of Green Gables Novels, J.R.R. Tolkien, The life and career of Bishop William Colenso. So they go out and get experts to come up with really detailed and specific questions which you'd better actually be an expert, if you want a chance to answer. Then in round two it's time for general questions.

Here are some example general knowledge Questions: "Which metallic element has the symbol W standing for wolfram which was an old name for it?" , "Which English born ballerina married the Panamanian diplomat Roberta Arias in 1955?" "Sinead is the Irish equivalent of which English girls name?"

Answers: Tungsten , Margot Fontaine , Janet <- Highlight text for answers

Yes it's not exactly Who Wants to be a Millionaire is it? Okay and you really have to check out the site to see the set, because even a description can not do justice to it. (Still) You are basically in a single chair being bombarded with these questions at a vigorous pace, in the dark, under a spotlight.

What I love most about it though is if you win you get essentially nothing. By essentially I mean if you keep winning eventually you get a cup/trophy or something, but all this is done pretty much just for bragging rights about how smart you are. Only in England, got to love it.

Posted 03:20 PM to TV - (2) Comments

What a difference a day makes

Hello from London! I'm across the pond for a few weeks doing some work (of course), and I've gotten so used to travelling to the U.S. I'd forgotten how easy travel can be! First off the new Terminal 1 at Pearson is so refreshing after years of having to use the decrepit Terminal 2. Terminal 1 really is a modern airport terminal with all the spaciousness and flow that represents. It was so nice not to have to get in to a customs line up 2 seconds after receiving my boarding pass! Even the remote terminal reserved for international flights was better equipped than terminal 2.

The flight itself was unremarkable, I tried to sleep as much as possible (sleeping pills == useless) but the Airbus A330 I was on was quite old and uncomfortable. Okay by old I mean there was glossy silvery duct tape over the holes in every armrest left by the removed ashtrays. Old.

Heathrow was a breeze, British customs is so different from U.S. customs. U.S. customs the (mostly) men are up in glass cages wearing very severe uniforms. Very forceful and intimidating. U.K. customs agents are sitting at for lack of a better term I will call podiums. The effect is quite "undramatic" in comparison. Once landed getting around London is like getting around New York the first time - a bit confusing but quite doable.

More posts and some pics soon!

Posted 10:19 AM to Personal

Avast me hearties! International Talk like a Pirate Day it be!

Arrrrrrr! Unfortunately I don't be thinkin' the land lubbers in Homeland Security would be like'n it if I be talkin' like a pirate, so I'll have to be curtailing me pirate drawl today. I'm off ter La La Land and sure and I'll be takin more than a few pictures so that be something ta look forward to.

Do ye wantin to be knowin' more about International Talk like a Pirate Day? Then do a blasted search ye scallywags! Arrrrr I jest, there be a whole website just for today's fine celebrations. Smartly Now! Before I have to send ye a yard arm to string yourself up by!

If ye be looking for a more festive way to celebrate there be more'n a few places to go:

Pirates Site
Try some Good ol' fashion learnin' ya bilge rat.

Pirates of the Spanish Main
Rr maybe spend way to much loot on this here game.

Pirates of the Caribbean
Ye could also just watch this fine film, as I will on UMD.

Pittsburg Pirates
Go see a game if ye be in Pittsburgh.

Pirate Mod
Buy yourself some gear and get pirating.

Bilge Monkey
Because pirateyness is next to godliness.

UPDATE: Burning Sea
There also be a new MMORPG ye can sign-up fer

or if ye be near the Wold of Disney, go on the ride.

Arrr! So roll out the cannons, stow the mainsail, and get ye some piratey goodness done today!

Posted 12:00 AM to Personal - (2) Comments