I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day, and I hope there are many more good ones in the cards for you!

Today, we're dealing with wordplay: I've got four....count em, 4, sets of words. Each set of words can all be followed by the same word to make four compund words, phrases, or names. For example, If I say STOP, HEAD, FLASH, and MOON, the correct answer would be LIGHT.

Here's the catch: The four correct answers in this puzzle are all followed by a common word as well: that's where you'll earn your fifth point today. Good luck!

1. CHOWDER, COPPER, HAMMER, LETTER
2. CLAIM, HIGH, SKI, TRIPLE
3. SCISSOR, CORNER, DROP, SIDE
4. CHIN, PULL, PUSH, SIT
5. ANSWER 1, ANSWER 2, ANSWER 3, ANSWER 4

The Three Towers of Trivia, February 8

Yeah, I know I was supposed to post 3 days ago...but grad school is hard, people. Now if you want to donate to my grad school tuition fund, I'd be more than happy to drink away..er...invest your donations!

Anyway, take a stab at these Famous Franks:

1. What Famous Frank was a musician who begat children named Dweezil, Ahmet, and Moon Unit?

2. What Famous Frank was not only the voice of Yoda, but also the creator of Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear?

3. What Famous Frank directed the classic films Mr Smith Goes to Washington, You Can't Take it With You, and It's a Wonderful Life?

4. What Famous Frank was played by Will Ferell in the 2003 comedy "Old School"? I'll take the real last name or the more famous nickname.

5. What Famous Frank's son was the inventor of Lincoln Logs?

The Three Towers of Trivia, January 27

Hey all! I'm a little late posting this week, but late is better than never- let's take a look at the offering.

What famous video game documentary bears the subtitle "A Fistful of Quarters"?

The Gestapo are to Nazi Germany as what group are to the citizens in George Orwell's 1984?

In what year did the Academy Awards committee increase the number of Best Picture nominees to ten?

How many red and white rings can be found on Captain America's shield?

According to USA Today, what is the home state to more NFL players than any other?

The Three Towers of Trivia, January 18

The three day weekend is over, and now it's time to get back to the grind of work and school; but before you do, take a crack at these questions; don't you know that thrivia is great for the brain because it helps you get better at basic recall and comprehension? So without further ado, here's this week's slab of questions.

In 1983, after announcing his intent to enter the NFL Draft, future Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway infamously stated he would decline to play for what organization- that year's holder of the #1 draft pick?

The oldest flag still in use by an independent nation today is the Dannebrog; what nation still proudly waves it to this day?

Heralding Greek roots, what 11 letter word is widely used by TV and film buffs to describe an event or fact that contradicts a previous one earlier in a series?

February 2010 will mark the first national performance of what computer assembled by IBM to compete on Jeopardy?

Name the next item in the series, and explain the series itself: Alfa, Echo, India, Oscar, ????????????

Good luck, and have a great day!

The Three Towers of Trivia, January 11

Hi again from the trivia dome; Series 4 is underway this week, and I hope you'll join us over at Facebook to play the game. Just click here to get started!

The final question is a two parter; the object is to figure out the last object in the given sequence and what the sequence itself represents. Good luck!

On the television sitcom Home Improvement, what was the name of the company who sponsored the show-within-a-show, Tool Time?

Returning in 2009 to tackle issues like energy conservation and carbon footprints, what on-and-off, yet popular series created a new set of videos consisting of "Report From the North Pole", "Solar Power to the Poeple", and "The Little Things We Do"?

In 1860, what U.S. state became the first to secede from the Union?

What item comes next in the sequence, and what does the sequence represent?
1. ATL
2. PEK
3. ORD
4. ???
Good luck; reach down in the depths of your brain; I know you know these answers!

The Three Towers of Trivia, December 10

Here is my final set of questions this season on The Three Towers of Trivia...I may post from the backlog over our break, but fresh new questions won't be coming out of the oven for four weeks. Anyhoo, this is one of the tougher sets I've written, so have your way with it.

There are TWELVE questions in this set, and for good reason...every correct answer in this set is a twelve letter word. Keep that in mind as you answer.

GOOD LUCK!

1. Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are all designated as what type of community, meaning that they have a government based on the consent of the people?

2. What 1818 novel carried the subtitle "The Modern Prometheus"?

3. Made from a base of sugar, water, and softened gelatin, what sweet treats were once used as a remedy for sore throats?

4. If you're having probems with your colon, what type of doctor would you have to see?

5. What extreme sport has been contested at the Olympic Games since 1998?

6. Since it can be pinned to no specific value, what term does Merriam Webster define as "immeasurably wealthy people"?

7. What adjective describes Edison's electric bulb, successfully tested in October 1879?

8. I.M. Pei and Mies van der Rohe were widely known for wheir work in what field?

9. Used for the production of certain metals and their resistance to corrosion, what process is also used to permanently remove human hair?

10. If you're being gurded by a player from the Washington Generals, what are you?

11. Beluga whales use what system where their reflected sounds help them to gauge distances?

12. What type of college class are you normally required to take and pass before you can enroll in a more advanced one?

ANSWERS:
1. Commonwealth
2. Frankenstein
3. Marshmallows
4. Proctologist
5. Snowboarding
6. Zillionaires
7. Incandescent
8. Architecture
9. Electrolysis
10.Globetrotter
11. Echolocation
12. Prerequisite

The Three Towers of Trivia, December 8

Hi all. Well, the playoff are underway, and we decided to so something a little different. While Kevin posted his "chain" round, where one answer finishes the next question, I have a new round called "Dead or Canadian?".

I took the name from the round of the same name on the TV game show, Remote Control. They gave a name, and players had to identify them as Dead, Canadian, or both.

My round is not just people, though. I take interesting pairs, and try to see if you can identify which group each item belongs in- so it's more like Dis or Dat from You Don't Know Jack, or the board game Split Decision.

Anyhoo, here are 9 pairs for you- see if you can guess what goes where!

Buzzbee- Cereal Mascot or Social Networking Site?

Bladdernut- Medical Condition or Type of Tree?

King Randor- Power Rangers villain or He-Man ally?

Billy Mays- Dead or Canadian...or both?

The Great Giana Sisters- Porno or Video Game?

Jazzberry Jam- Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Flavor or Crayola Crayon color?

Mayfair- Federal Prison or UK Monopoly Propoerty?

Anthony Eden- Celebrity Chef or UK Prime Minister?

Hokkaido- Japanese dog or Japanese delicacy...or both?

The Three Towers of Trivia, November 30th

Today's the last day of November, so let's end it by doing something a little bit different!

I'll give you a movie's year, the character's real name, and the actor who portrayed him or her- you give me the character's better known name or nickname. You'll get bonus points in my book if you can name three of the movies, and an air high five if you can name all 5 movies.

1978, John Blutarsky, played by John Belushi
1986, Pete Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise
1991, Jame Gumb, played by Ted Levine
2003, James P. Sullivan, played by John Goodman
2009, Claireece P. Jones, played by Gabourey Sidibe

Oh, and by the way, I'm giving away a $35 gift card on my blog, and today's the last day to enter! Click HERE for your chance to win!

ANSWERS:
Bluto, Animal House
Maverick, Top Gun
Buffalo Bill, The Silence of the Lambs
Sully, Monster's Inc
Precious, Precious

The Three Towers of Trivia, November 16

Since the Facebook game is taking a break to scarf down some turkey next week, I may pose some old questions from the archive to keep you guessing!

What first name is shared by Mr. Ratburn of the PBS series Arthur, the producer of the TV series American Idol, and the host of a fictional documentary series on Nickelodeon?

What candy's wrapper features a smiling red balloon on it?

iPhones are to iOS as Palm phones are to what?

The 2010 MLS season culminates with the MLS Cup this coming Sunday. Name the two teams playing in that championship game.

Google Loves Me, This I Know

Not too long after I posted the latest set of trivia questions, Drew Scott from the incredibly awesome blog Blasters to Babies told me that he looked up the answer to one of my trivia questions, and lo and behold, my blog was the #1 return on Google. Drew even captured the screen, so I could trophy it around all day and night.

Life is good if you're the Trivia and Pancakes man.

The Three Towers of Trivia, November 9

Another Tuesday, another set of questions- Answer if you dare.

A famous Saturday Night Live sketch from the 1980s involved what singer having a Celebrity Hot Tub Party?

San Francisco has taken the first steps in becoming the first US city to potentially not offer what in a Happy Meal?

Tim Kitzrow gained fame as the play by play announcer for what sports game series?

Known for their K-Cup brewing system, what company also makes their own line of single-serve coffee makers?

What Las Vegas hotel was famous for a 1980 fire, a 1986 sale to Bally's, and a totally new iteration which opened in 1993?

ANSWERS:
1. James Brown
2. Toy
3. NBA Jam
4. Keurig
5. MGM Grand

The Three Towers of Trivia, November 2

Happy Tuesday! Here are your questions:

With 918 deaths, what single event caused the largest death of American citizens in a non-natural disaster until the events of 9/11?

What famous battle is the focal point of Shakespeare's play Henry V?

The Chilean flag most resembles the flag of which U.S. State?

What longtime announcer on the TV game show Wheel of Fortune passed away this Halloween in his Los Angeles home?

The "Canary" in Canary Islands refers to what type of animal?

ANSWERS:
1. Jonestown Massacre
2. Battle of Agincourt
3. Texas
4. Charlie O' Donnell
5. Dog

The Three Towers of Trivia, October 27

Hey! Well, here's the final set for this week:

A former executive at what cell phone company recently said that manufacturers who use Android are like Finnish boys who "pee in their pants" for warmth in the winter?

A museum in what city recently held a contest whose winner would get to live at the museum for an entire month?

What product's commercials, featuring people who solved problems like broken heels and wet paint on suits, always ended with the line "The Freshmaker"?

What Constitutional amendment gives you the right to a speedy trial?

IT'S TIME FOR AN EXTRA HALLOWEEN CANDY BONUS!!!!!!!!!!

According to a recent study by USA Today, parents eat what percent of their children's Halloween candy? (It's not an off kilter number, like 13 or 81.)

In the General Mills Monster Cereal line, Count Chocula is the most popular of the three remaining ghouls, Name his two cohorts who usually have their own cereals during the Halloween season.

In the Halloween film series, Michael Myers' mask is molded in the shape of what celebrity?

ANSWERS
1. Nokia
2. Chicago
3. Mentos
4. 6th Amendment
5. 50%
6. Boo Berry and Frankenberry
7. William Shatner

The Three Towers of Trivia, October 26

Happy Tuesday, people! Have a crack at these:

Friends is to Central Perk as How I Met Your Mother is to where?

What man replaced Gordon Brown as UK Prime Minister in May 2010?

What team won their last NBA championship in 1971, despite having 25 playoff appearances in the 39 years since?

Name the word by it's definitions- a. history of reports or past events; b. score, grounds; c. a contractual relationship of brokerage or other business services

What cheerleading company, which has nearly 30 subsidiaries, has recently been criticized for a number of conflict of interest offenses?

Think you can beat the pants off our current players? Have a crack at it HERE!

ANSWERS:
1. MacLaren's
2. David Cameron
3. Milwaukee Bucks
4. Account
5. Varsity Brands

The Three Towers of Trivia, October 19

We're in Week 3 of our third season, and I've got another five questions to question! Have a look:

What former CEO of eBay is currently running for Governor of California?

If the NHL Winter Classic curse holds up this year, what team will lose in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals?

What is the only word in the English language to have three consecutive sets of double letters?

What is Simpsons character Nelson Muntz's middle name?

Running for Governor of New York, Jimmy McMillan represents what party whose name shares a common New York sentiment?

Click on the "Read On" hyperlink to get the answers!

The Three Towers of Trivia, October 12

Week 2 is underway, and I'm up! Well, here's this week's five, which will be posted to Facebook later this morning:

1. What French stew, mainly consisting of fish, vegetables, and shellfish, gets its name from the Occitan words for "simmer" and "boil"?

2. The guitar riff from the song "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks was sampled in that 2001 chart topper?

3. Alphabetically, what US state capital comes first?

4. How many stars are in the current NFL logo?

5. What book opens with the line, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"?


ANSWERS:
1. Bouillabaisse
2. Bootylicious, Destiny's Child
3. Albany, New York
4. Eight
5. A Tale of Two Cities

Hey, Motherf****r...Guess What I Know?

Let's get in a time machine and go back to June 2009. I was fresh out of college with no job, no plans, and no idea what I was going to do. So in the meantime, I decided to do what I did best-- ask questions.

I went to my Facebook profile and posted a trivia question. Not even 10 minutes later, I had 8 replies. After a day where I asked 11 or 12 questions and kept a running score, I noticed that people liked answering my questions on Facebook. Why? Because it makes them look smart in an open forum. Soon after, I saw that two of my buddies from quiz bowl, Kevin Render and Ivory Johnson, both started doing the same thing. I wasn't mad- I was happy that more of us were getting in the spirit since they, like me, had nothing better to do that summer. After carrying this on for about 2 weeks, Ivory came up with the idea that the three of us come together and form a group dedicated to this. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how we formed...wait for it...

THE THREE TOWERS OF TRIVIA!

But wait...it wasn't called that just yet.

We got a lot of our fellow HCASC (That's Honda Campus All Star Challenge, for the record) alums and off season players to join and play the game. It was rough at first, because we had our fair share of cheaters in that first run. But we made it through quite successfully, considering the small operation that we were running.

During our first season, we decided to award bonus points to whoever came up with the best name for our group. We eventually narrowed it down to three choices: Mind Bogglers, The Three Towers of Trivia, and Hey Motherfucker? Guess What I Know!, with the last one nearly becoming our permanent name. In retrospect, it might have worked just as well.

Now, the three of us our back in school and/or working, so our schedules aren't as flexible as they used to be. We've had our fair share of ups and downs, but the ups have far outweighed the downs, and I know I wouldn't trade this for any other experience.We've asked nearly 900 questions, with out 1000th coming sometime this year, and we started our third season this week. I couldn't be much happier than that. If you want to play, join our Facebook group HERE, and you'll receive questions 3 days a week. If you have suggestions, questions, comments, or concerns, post to our wall! In the meantime, happy playing, and no quizjacking!

The Three Towers of Trivia, October 5

My friends Kevin Render, Ivory Johnson, and I started a trivia group on Facebook a year ago (July 1, 2009 to be exact). We called it The Three Towers of Trivia, and we've asked our followers nearly 900 trivia questions as of today. Today is the start of our 3rd season, and I've decided to post my round's questions here, just to get my blog followers to come join our group. Check out this week's questions, and see if you can match wits with our current players!

1. A polyglot is one who excels at what?

2. Top sellers of Mary Kay in the USA are awarded a pink Cadillac. In the UK, top sellers earn what brand of car founded in 1881, making it the oldest automobile brand still in existence?

3. What cop show's producers changed the show's name to McGarrett in 1980, a change they deemed necessary for the show to be successful in the syndication market?

4. In September 2010, Roger Craig, a graduate student from the University of Delaware, broke what television record that stood for more than 6 years?

5. A recent study for the Gallup Healthways Well Being Index shows that, although leveling off at $75,000, increases in salary negate what often stated belief?

ANSWERS:
1. Foreign Languages
2. Mercedes Benz
3. Hawaii Five O
4. Largest One Day Winnings on Jeopardy!
5. Money Can't Buy Happiness