Set Seven

From across the seven seas I bring you this quiz set. First just the regular reminder: If you're new to this blog, please see the first posting Ground Zero in order to learn the basic rules of this quiz blog. Remember to use rot13.

Secondly, a quick glance at my posting schedule revealed to me that I have kept my promise to post an average of a question a day.... though my frequency could be better I guess.

Thirdly I'd just like to remind you to visit Shanth's and Kaushik's quiz blogs for some excellent questions. They are definitely more consistent in question quality than I am!

As a fourth point, I invite you, Dear Readers, to go over the past sets of questions whose answers are already posted, try them without looking at the answers if you haven't already done so, and to then please send in your ratings of the questions. Questions are rated on the basis of Quality and Toughness. The rating system is discussed in the first posting Ground Zero. Hopefully after enough of you have responded, I'll be able to publish a list of the Top 13 questions (so far).

As a fifth - what are you waiting for? Go check out the new set!

En avant!

Set Seven

7.1
Starting this month, authors ranging from Stephen King to John Grisham will auction the right to name a character in one of their upcoming novels. On Sept. 1, eBay Giving Works went live with the electronic auction. For the next 25 days, anyone with an Internet connection can bid 24 hours a day to insert names into their favorite writers’ heads. King says the highest bidder will get to name a character in a new zombie novel he describes as being “like cheap whisky ... very nasty and extremely satisfying.” Cult comic author Neil Gaiman will let his top buyer select the name for a gravestone. Andrew Sean Greer promises the winner may choose the name of a “coffee shop, bar, corset company or other business in another scene,” but only “should it suit the author.” Other authors include Amy Tan, Lemony Snicket, Nora Roberts, Michael Chabon, Dave Eggers, Dorothy Allison, Peter Straub, ZZ Packer, Jonathan Lethem, Rick Moody, Ayelet Waldman, Andrew Sean Greer and Karen Joy Fowler.

Why are they doing this?

(With thanks to Sean for bringing this to my notice.)

7.2
Fill in the blank:

_______, Lee, Maria, Nate, Ophelia, Philippe, Rita, Stan, Tammy, Vince and Wilma.


7.3
There are two parts to this question, both with the same answer - so think of them as two different paths to the same destination. Here's the first path:

Connect:
a) Gershom, the son of Moses.
b) 666
c) Achluophobia

The second way is to identify and connect these pictures:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.


7.4
In 1962 his country's government declared him a national treasure so that he could not be lured away to work abroad for higher fees.

(With thanks to Shanth for making me accidentally dig this up.)

7.5
Legend has it that while the amrita/amrith was being taken to heaven, some drops fell on the ground - specifically on kusha grass. Garuda quickly whisked it away, but X came out, and desperately trying to get some amrita, licked the blades of grass. What happened? (Note: X is not one person/thing, but rather a collection)

7.6
Name the person whose three letters start with the following phrases:

1. Dear Boss
2. I was not codding dear old Boss when I gave you the tip....
3. From hell

7.7
"...exhilaration and lasting euphoria, which in no way differs from the normal euphoria of the healthy person...You perceive an increase of self-control and possess more vitality and capacity for work....In other words, you are simply normal, and it is soon hard to believe you are under the influence of any drug....Long intensive physical work is performed without any fatigue...This result is enjoyed without any of the unpleasant after-effects that follow exhilaration brought about by alcohol....Absolutely no craving for the further use of _______ appears after the first, or even after repeated taking of the drug..."

Who talking about what?


7.8
This Nobel Prize winning scientist was well known for his modesty and shyness and, the story goes, became a Physicist because of it. He applied to do Mathematics at Manchester, was interviewed for Physics by mistake and was too self conscious to mention it. However, impressed by the interviewer he decided to shift to Physics.

(Thank you, Shanth, for your serendipitous inspirations.)

7.9
Born Lij Tafari Makonnen, hailed by Marcus Garvey as a Messiah, he is God incarnate for a certain religion. Ironically, though, he himself never believed in the religion, being a devout member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Name the person and the religion.

(Once again, Shanth, thank you!)

7.10
And my personal favourite in this set:

Name the recipe, fill in the blank.

Makes 1 ________ quart

A couple of Deadheads in Maine sent us a postcard with a name for a new flavor. They left the recipe up to us. We got to work with some fresh Bing cherries and threw in the chocolate flakes as a last minute inspiration.

* 1/4 cup shaved plain chocolate (we prefer Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate candy bars)
* 1/4 cup fresh Bing cherries, halved and pitted (you may use canned cherries, but be sure to drain the syrup)
* 2 large eggs
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 2 cups heavy or whipping cream
* 1 cup milk

1. Place the shaved chocolate flakes and the cherries in separate bowls. Cover and refrigerate.

2. Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the sugar, a little at a time, then continue whisking until completely blended, about 1 minute more. Pour in the cream and milk and whisk to blend.

3. Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze following the manufacturer’s instructions.

4. After the ice cream stiffens (about 2 minutes before it is done), add the chocolate and the cherries, then continue freezing until the ice cream is ready.

Customary Vague Hint:
This recipe was first made in 1987. For a month after Aug 9 1995, the ice cream was made with black cherries.

Happy Labor Day, compadres.