Let’s start with a tough one: Battle of Mukden (20th century).
Author: aetchells
Pics from last week
Yeah, I’m a little late on the upkeep, due to the holiday. ANyway, I’m gonna post pics of last weeks winners. Since we just celebrated Memorial Day, we’re gonna do it like this: I’m gonna post a battle, you’re gonna post what war it took place in. One guess per person, and no looking them up.
Trivia Art in the Metro
The Metro is letting anybody write for it these days. Not only is JGT a contributing member, but now Trivia Art has a weekly column, highlighting some of the best food deals in town. Here is the first one.
Question of the week
Who was the last colony to ratify the Constitution, becoming the 13th state on May 29, 1790?
Yo
Kicking it in the Nassawadox (pop. 585) library. Gotta get my story done for Metro then hit the road, drive for 4 1/2 hours, and then come up with questions for tonight, then host quizzo. Not the kind of day Philly’s only true man of leisure enjoys. I’ll have a question of the week up shortly. The wedding went well, and I spent all day yesterday on a secluded beach with about10 of my closest friends. Hard to beat. Hope you guys had a good holiday. I mean, every Monday is a holiday for me, but I know that things are different for you people. Anyway, I’ll holla atcha soon with a question of the week.
Wild Week of Quizzo
The Kingdom stayed hot, the Jams finally fell, and a new team pulled off an upset at the Black Sheep. But we begin on Monday, with an excellent Wheel of Terrific. Just ask Steve O., who played Jerry Falwell in the latest edition. It was the last ever edition of the Wheel of Terrific, though there are rumors of a Wheel of Terrific reunion. Chip and I will also be appearing in the next Die Actor Die show in June. We’re making a porno.
We kick off quizzo on Tuesday at O’Neals. Playing without pop culture guru Cocktails, the Young, the Old, and the Restless got kicked out of contention in the “First line of famous songs” round. But Dork Sided may be the new team to beat at O’Neals anyway, winning for the second straight week with a 96-75 pasting of Philly Hardcore.
No surprises at the Bards, as the Kingdom won easily, posting a 116-89 win over the Dysfunktion and Omphalaskeptics, missing only one half of one queston. It was their 7th win in their last 8 quizzos, the only loss a one point loss to the Axis of Evil Knieval.
A big upset at the Vous, as the Jams finally lost, ending an incredible 8 game winning streak. The Live Free or Die Harders put up 101 to edge the 1 1/2 Armenians (aka Steve O.), who finished with 99. The Jams finished 3rd with 91. JGT still owes the Live Free or Die Harders $30, as they collected on the bounty. There is talk of a possible bounty on the Kingdom next week. We’ll see.
Another upset at the Sheep. Duane’s World and the Satan’s Minions both struggled with the third round, opening the floor to a couple of new contenders. In the end, 5 Dumb Guys and a Redhead edged Lord, Beer Me Strength, 90-88.
Steve O. was a bridesmaid again Thursday night. He had a full team together this time, but they finished a question short, falling to MAGMA, 99-94.
It wasn’t exactly the Sofa Kingdom, but a team with one of it’s members on it still pulled off a win on Thursday night at the Bards with a 103. $20 extra for first team that beats the Kingdom. Alright, I’m outta here. Have a great holiday!
Let’s get this Party Started
The delegates began meeting on this date, 220 years ago, to write one of the most kickass documents ever penned, the US Constitution. And you know where that jawn went down. In the illadel, PA, live with out a DJ.
RELATED: The Articles of Confederation blow, let’s try something new.
Hands Across America
It was on this date in 1986 that the famous Hands Across America took place. So I must know…did anyone of you guys participate? Oh, and I’m watching the 10! show right now b/c a friend of mine told me that Craig Laban was on. And Laban says that the inspiration for his terrible cheeseburger song came from the Good Dog Burger! So congrats, Good Dog! Your burger inspired the worst celebrity song since Don Johnson did “Heartbeat.”
Shoes
I was walking home from the Black Sheep and met these two girls who were headed south as well. They told me that A) Alfa was a great bar to meet women (I’ve never been) and B) I had to see the video for “Shoes”. Watched it this morning. Kind of amusing. Here it is. (NSFW due to cussing)
The Metro Column
They haven’t had a chance to post it on the website yet, but my editor gave me the OK to post it here. It’s about the Friendly Lounge, which was just named by Esquire as the best bar in America. To learn more about the Friendly, click here.
In their June edition, Esquire Magazine listed the Best Bars in America. The only one representing Philly was a quiet little neighborhood bar on the corner of 8th and Washington called the Friendly Lounge. What was it about a quiet corner bar that earned it such praise? Sensing an opportunity to write off beer as a business expense, I decided to find out.
It was midnight on a quiet Monday, and the bar had two patrons. I met one of the twins who own the place, Marco. He was ebullient and excitable, at one point pulling out his guitar to sing along with a song on the jukebox, then putting it away after strumming only a handful of notes. “We already knew it was the best bar,” said Marco proudly. “It was at one time famous for its ribs. Legend has it that Frank Sinatra had the ribs delivered to a show in Atlantic City once.” He continued. “My father, who opened the place in the 50s, was John DiTullio, but was known as Skinny. In fact, listen to this.”
Marco ran to the jukebox. Louis Prima’s famous version of “Just a Gigolo” began to play. “Listen to the part where he goes ‘Newt da Newt, Dolly Dolly, Skinny Skinny.’ He’s paying tribute to my father. He and Louis were friends. My father knew Joe DiMaggio, Martha Rae. Lenny Bruce used to come here regularly, and his wife used to babysit us.” Not that John was the only one in the family who could name drop. Marco’s mother, Hilda, was a well known circus performer who appeared in a 1940 film with Fred Astaire. The celebrity surrounding the Friendly Lounge then went to the level of surreal when I spoke with Marco’s wife, an extremely pleasant lady named Ruth. “I’m a descendant of Pocohantes,” she said sweetly and honestly.
I spoke with Marco’s twin brother Dominick the next day. He was a bit more subdued than Marco, and at least mildly surprised by the Esquire honor. “I suppose if you hang around long enough, you’ll probably get something right.” He smiled and wiped the counter. “Everybody’s got their own idea of what’s a great bar.” One with a picture of a forever young Marilyn Monroe beside the antique cash register, one filled with the ghosts of legends, one that’s been in the same family for over 50 years? That fits my idea of a great bar.
RELATED: What’s your favorite bar in Philly?