Transatlantic Quiz -- You're Invited! Austin Info

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TheConfessor · #1 Post by **TheConfessor** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:14 pm

NOTE -- THERE ARE TEN SITES IN THE USA: New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Seattle, Phoenix, Austin, Boulder, CO, Lakeland, FL, Athens, GA, and Sioux Falls, SD. Also Ottawa, Canada and London, England, etc.
http://www.transatlanticquiz.com/3.html

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Friends, Texans, trivia lovers,

I'm planning to host a small group at my house this Saturday for the Transatlantic Quiz. Space is limited, but if anyone in the WWTBAM community can be there, I'll save a place for you.

It's free and it's this Saturday, March 15th at my house, just off South Congress.

12:00 noon Saturday 3/15
@ my little yellow house off S. Congress, just south of the river
512-HI-ED-HI-ED home phone
Reservations are required due to limited space
Call or e-mail austinquiz AT gmail DOT com

At approximately the same time in many cities around the world, individual competitors will be taking the same written quiz, for fun and bragging rights. The quiz covers a wide range of trivia subject matter, and was written by an international team who tried to make it balanced and fair for all (assuming they know English).

Most U.S. quiz locations are in public venues, but since that's impossible in Austin during SXSW week, I volunteered to host a small group at my house, just to make sure Austin is represented. I'll be happy with any number of quizzers at my house up to about 10. I can't accommodate many more than that, so let me know ASAP if you plan to come. Feel free to mention it to your friends, but depending on the response, I may need to start a standby list. We hope to conduct similar events in the future, so I'll try to keep in touch with anyone who might want to participate in those.

The quiz has 240 questions in 8 general subject areas. We will take the first half of the quiz, then grade that before doing the second half. We should be finished by around 3:00 p.m. Within a day or so, there will be scores available online, so we can see how Austin stacks up against London, Ottawa, New York, and other cities.

I took the Transatlantic Quiz last year and it was challenging, but an interesting experience. This type of quiz is popular in Europe and it's just starting to catch on in the US.

If you have any questions, let me know. Also check out the website at:
http://www.transatlanticquiz.com/index.html
Be sure to look at the FAQ section, which will tell you most of the stuff I forgot to mention.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #2 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:18 pm

TheConfessor wrote: 512-HI-ED-HI-ED home phone

I know that things are bigger in Texas, but do you get bigger phone numbers as well?

TheConfessor · #3 Post by **TheConfessor** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:35 pm

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
TheConfessor wrote: 512-HI-ED-HI-ED home phone
I know that things are bigger in Texas, but do you get bigger phone numbers as well?

You should know. You've given me my wake up call on that number. It works either way. The extra D is just for you, Darlin'.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #4 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:40 pm

TheConfessor wrote:
PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
TheConfessor wrote: 512-HI-ED-HI-ED home phone
I know that things are bigger in Texas, but do you get bigger phone numbers as well?
You should know. You've given me my wake up call on that number. It works either way. The extra D is just for you, Darlin'.

Yeah, I know.

I still have your number and I looked it up when I saw your post.

I'm still sorry about that wake up call.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #5 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:42 pm

It's nice that you are hosting the event at your house. I suggested to Jeff that we might do the same thing, but he was concerned about strangers showing up at our house.

peacock2121 · #6 Post by **peacock2121** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:19 am

How fun!

I do wonder what I would do if I lived in Texas.

I would be nothing but a distraction and would still want to be there.

You are lucky I do not live within driving distance.

Bob Juch · #7 Post by **Bob Juch** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:34 am

peacock2121 wrote:How fun!

I do wonder what I would do if I lived in Texas.

I would be nothing but a distraction and would still want to be there.

You are lucky I do not live within driving distance.

You can always do the New York City quiz.

peacock2121 · #8 Post by **peacock2121** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:23 am

Bob Juch wrote:
peacock2121 wrote:How fun!

I do wonder what I would do if I lived in Texas.

I would be nothing but a distraction and would still want to be there.

You are lucky I do not live within driving distance.
You can always do the New York City quiz.

It's not the quiz I am interested in.

It is hanging with the people that would be at Ed's house.

Bob Juch · #9 Post by **Bob Juch** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:32 am

peacock2121 wrote:
Bob Juch wrote:
peacock2121 wrote:How fun!

I do wonder what I would do if I lived in Texas.

I would be nothing but a distraction and would still want to be there.

You are lucky I do not live within driving distance.
You can always do the New York City quiz.
It's not the quiz I am interested in.

It is hanging with the people that would be at Ed's house.

There are people worth hanging with in NYC too.

ladysoleil · #10 Post by **ladysoleil** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:58 am

Bob Juch wrote:
peacock2121 wrote:
Bob Juch wrote: You can always do the New York City quiz.
It's not the quiz I am interested in.

It is hanging with the people that would be at Ed's house.
There are people worth hanging with in NYC too.

I think so, but being one of those people, I may be biased.

I'm not doing the quiz this year, though- have plans for the day.

Good luck!

peacock2121 · #11 Post by **peacock2121** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:39 am

Bob Juch wrote:
peacock2121 wrote:
Bob Juch wrote: You can always do the New York City quiz.
It's not the quiz I am interested in.

It is hanging with the people that would be at Ed's house.
There are people worth hanging with in NYC too.

Who would you say that is true of?

peacock2121 · #12 Post by **peacock2121** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:40 am

ladysoleil wrote:
Bob Juch wrote:
peacock2121 wrote: It's not the quiz I am interested in.

It is hanging with the people that would be at Ed's house.
There are people worth hanging with in NYC too.
I think so, but being one of those people, I may be biased.

I'm not doing the quiz this year, though- have plans for the day.

Good luck!

Cross one off the list.

ulysses5019 · #13 Post by **ulysses5019** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:46 am

It's nice that you are hosting the event at your house. I suggested to Jeff that we might do the same thing, but he was concerned about strangers showing up at our house.

Hey, I resemble that remark!
On the other hand I will be in New York this weekend......

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #14 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:48 am

ulysses5019 wrote:
It's nice that you are hosting the event at your house. I suggested to Jeff that we might do the same thing, but he was concerned about strangers showing up at our house.

Hey, I resemble that remark!
On the other hand I will be in New York this weekend......

I pointed out that the people likely to take the test are people who have already been to our house more than once.

ulysses5019 · #15 Post by **ulysses5019** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:47 am

I pointed out that the people likely to take the test are people who have already been to our house more than once.

I'm sure everyone would be converted to meeples and forced to play Carcassonne by Jeff.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #16 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:51 am

ulysses5019 wrote:
I pointed out that the people likely to take the test are people who have already been to our house more than once.

I'm sure everyone would be converted to meeples and forced to play Carcassonne by Jeff.

Probably.

He wanted me to name Lily Meeple, but that isn't a proper name for such an elegant cat.

andrewjackson · #17 Post by **andrewjackson** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:07 pm

I would have come over for this but I have three things going on Saturday already.

March is turning into the month of choices. I have 36 events this month that take place on 24 different days with most of those mutually incompatible. The 7 blank days are the ones that really stand out on my calendar.

April, on the other hand, only has 7 events right now for the entire month.

I really wish things were more evenly distributed.

earendel · #18 Post by **earendel** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 12:14 pm

andrewjackson wrote:I would have come over for this but I have three things going on Saturday already.

March is turning into the month of choices. I have 36 events this month that take place on 24 different days with most of those mutually incompatible. The 7 blank days are the ones that really stand out on my calendar.

April, on the other hand, only has 7 events right now for the entire month.

I really wish things were more evenly distributed.

That always seems to be the way it is with elwing and me - we'll go for a while with nothing going on, then suddenly everything happens in the space of a week.

Snaxx · #19 Post by **Snaxx** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:32 pm

I emailed the contact for the NY quiz, waiting to hear back, so I may be in the NYC group.

Snaxx

.

TheConfessor · #20 Post by **TheConfessor** » Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:45 am

Here's an article from the Boulder newspaper:

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/ma ... ly-trivia/

Wordly trivia for a world of contestants
Boulder plays host to annual Transatlantic Quiz on Saturday

By John Aguilar (Contact)
Friday, March 14, 2008
Do you know which utilitarian philosopher's body is displayed in a glass case at London's University College?

Not at the tip of your tongue?

OK, chew on this query. What do onychophagists chew on?

If the above questions seem a bit eclectic, that's because they are.

And all the more reason why Boulder will play host Saturday to the 2nd Annual Transatlantic Quiz -- a two-hour, 240-question test of trivia knowledge far and wide.

There are no multiple-choice questions and everyone must take the quiz solo -- no help from teammates or friends. So those in the know would have plenty of time to write down "Jeremy Bentham" and "their nails" if confronted with the questions above.

"This is for the folks who are book-learned but don't necessarily have a trigger finger for a buzzer," said Paul Bailey, a 46-year-old Boulder resident who is the American representative for the competition.

The quiz, which is scheduled to be held at noon Saturday at Albums Bistro on The Hill, will be played in 17 cities around the world at approximately the same time.

Parker resident Bill Schantz, who started a traveling quick-round trivia competition called Buzzer Battle in 2001, said Transatlantic Quiz is a more academic and cerebral type of game than the typical trivia contest.

Schantz, who took the quiz last year and will be in Boulder again this weekend to partake, said it's a great way to compare one's depth of knowledge with someone from Belgium, the United Kingdom or India.

"It's interesting to see how different cultures do trivia," he said.

For those expecting questions on Lindsay Lohan's latest sexual conquest, Schantz said the Transatlantic Quiz is "probably going to be a shock to a lot of them."

Schantz, 39, said he wished he had had a greater familiarity with soccer players, art history and world events when he took the quiz last year -- subjects he said play more to the strengths of his European competitors.

And Bailey said the format of the quiz -- sit-down, written questions in eight categories like culture, sport, and science administered somewhat like a bar exam -- might seem foreign to Americans more accustomed to quick-hit buzzers, flashing lights and loud sound effects.

"This is more deep knowledge," Bailey said. "It's kind of like competing in a marathon versus running in a 100-yard dash."

Which isn't to say there's no levity in the competition.

Bailey said there are still accessible pop culture queries, and many of the questions contain an element of humor.

"This is for the person who knows what might be in National Geographic and People magazine, or people who might watch PBS and CW," he said. "It's definitely diverse."
If you go

What: 2nd Annual Transatlantic Quiz

When: Noon Saturday

Where: Albums Bistro, 1124 13th St., Boulder

More info: www.transatlanticquiz.com

If you are interested in playing, send an e-mail to Bouldertaq@gmail.com

Snaxx · #21 Post by **Snaxx** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:19 pm

Still waiting for the results to be posted, but JBG and I were among those taking this in NY. It was a nice late afternoon of quizzing in a basement restaurant in NYC. We went off to another restaurant for dinner as the place we took the test got too crowded.

Snaxx

.

Bob Juch · #22 Post by **Bob Juch** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:34 pm

jacorbett70 wrote:Still waiting for the results to be posted, but JBG and I were among those taking this in NY. It was a nice late afternoon of quizzing in a basement restaurant in NYC. We went off to another restaurant for dinner as the place we took the test got too crowded.

Snaxx

Sorry I had to miss it but I had to run around buying things for my new home. (Such as extension cords, kitchen furniture, etc. because this place is over 100 years old and doesn't have enough outlets and cabinets.)

TheConfessor · #23 Post by **TheConfessor** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:53 pm

Here are the combined international results, subject to a few possible additions. I think Ken Jennings was going to take it, but his results aren't posted yet.
http://www.iqagb.co.uk/trivia/viewtopic.php?t=6907

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #24 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:51 pm

TheConfessor wrote:Here are the combined international results, subject to a few possible additions. I think Ken Jennings was going to take it, but his results aren't posted yet.
http://www.iqagb.co.uk/trivia/viewtopic.php?t=6907

Congratulations on being in the Top 20!

Snaxx · #25 Post by **Snaxx** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:58 pm

Ken Jennings did take it, he is listed as L.A. but probably was Seattle since there was no L.A. group. He finished 7th overall.

http://www.iqagb.co.uk/trivia/viewtopic.php?t=6907

.

WWTBAM Bored

Transatlantic Quiz -- You're Invited! Austin Info

Transatlantic Quiz -- You're Invited! Austin Info

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