I’ll cut to the chase…we lost and weren’t even close to being in the running for the $7000 in prizes up for grabs. Then again, this was a gathering of 106-plus teams from around the US filled with people who probably share my problem…they get asked questions by co-workers about totally worthless crap regarding movies, music, etc. So last night, the Austin Music Hall reeked of Hipsters, Obesity and Irony…well, stronger amounts than it often does at the concerts it hosts unless it’s Sonic Youth, then it’s a tie. It was like GenCon with more women and thankfully no horrible body odors.
OK, I’ll stop being pissy but you have to admit, some of the digs were funny.
I must give some major credit to the organizers. The opening ceremony was very amusing and enthusiastic. It was this parade incorporating the numerous quizmasters from the Geeks Who Drink franchises. They held up banners representing their cities. Colorado Springs had the best, “Welcome from Colorado Springs, the little Racist Village” which had various homophobic/racist religious figures who live there on their banner.
The questions were a nightmare from round one and they made me feel like a complete fifth wheel. I think I only got three completely right. I couldn’t make a strong enough argument on the third-most winning Grammy artist, but I was correct (Alison Krauss), some vindication there. Where we actually placed has yet to be posted. I’m not sure I want to check. It won’t upset me like losing the Futurama round did (and I’m over that) because we’re definitely in the bottom quarter.
What about having fun? This was rather difficult since the experience felt more reminiscent of some exams I totally failed in college. Let’s face it, nobody enjoys feeling ignorant and/or stupid too, including Teabaggers and Rednecks (despite the bliss they seem to enjoy). Definitely need to discuss this with Dr. Custer. However, I am more inspired to give the local stuff a stronger go once our team can agree on a consistent evening, Wednesday is out due to D&D for Jeremy.
Who won? It had to go to sudden death between two teams. This ad hoc round consisted of five questions, the last one involved a story problem I will never forget:
Take the number of years Bernie Madoff was sentenced to, multiply it by the number of nations in the UN whose name begins with the letter Z and subtract how many times Michael Jordan won the NBA’s MVP award. It’s 295 to save you time. Madoff was sentenced to 150 years, there are two nations beginning with Z (Zimbabwe and Zambia) and Jordan won five times.
At least the winner had a great name, Independence Hall & Oates due to their Philly origin. This drew numerous boos. I’m not sure what the various locations have against Philadelphia. In my quick research it could originate over the GWD organization lacking a franchise in Pennsylvania. It can’t be Cowboys fans, the Eagles were terrible and no threat for the Super Bowl, Dallas was its own worst enemy this season.
Will I do it again? Depends. GWD is based out of Denver. They brought it to Austin because their usual venue was unavailable. If it’s here, sure, I could be talked into it but I need to get off my duff, attend some regular competitions, figure out the vibe and build tolerance to the local quizmaster’s voice (nails on a chalkboard are less painful). Should Geek Bowl VII be elsewhere? No. I prefer to lose in Las Vegas, that city will at least give you a nice meal for your trouble/ego.
Meanwhile, GWD is planning a third Seinfeld competition (pass, I know very little) so I need to convince Mark B to take my spot, I recall he loves this show like I do Futurama. There’s also a Whedonverse round, double pass, I can’t get into his uninteresting crap and I know I’m probably in for a mugging by his fanatics, right after the Sonic Youth people leave me in a dark alley. Where was I going anyway…The Venture Brothers, yes, when the people in charge get home (I give ’em a week), I am going to keep badgering my proposal to write this. I don’t want to be the quizmaster though and I have no problem getting assistance for material.
I do hope our score is posted soon. I think it will have a silver lining. My credibility is damaged enough to get people to leave me alone and get of their collective butts to just search imdb.com!