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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| WWN's Top Ten Bar Bets |
| 2005-03-05 |
| From our favorite mainstream media outlet, the Weekly World News: MAKE A FORTUNE OFF YOUR DRINKING BUDDIES WITH THE... 10 GREATEST BAR BETS By MICHAEL FORSYTH Barfly Jason Fernway is the world's most unusual professional gambler. For the last 17 years he's supported himself exclusively on bar bets -- and he's raked in a small fortune! The Boston man's net worth is now an estimated 8 million and he plans to retire -- at the tender age of 38. Er, sounds like a large fortune to me, but a million bucks ain't what it used to be. "I never had much luck with cards and I like the friendly atmosphere in bars much better than casinos," Fernway says. "And unlike in casinos, where the odds are stacked against you, a well-prepared gambler has a huge advantage in a bar wager." Here, exclusively for Weekly World News readers, the expert reveals 10 of his all-time favorite bar bets. Belly up to the bar and bet your drinking buddies they'll answer the following "simple" questions wrong (answers follow): 1. The "immaculate conception" refers to the birth of what biblical figure? 2. Which is the most accurate: The original Star Wars movie is set 1,000 years in the future, 100 years in the future or five years in the future? 3. Alaska is the northernmost U.S. state. Is it also the farthest east, west or both? 4. The following piece of music was written in an honor of a famous hero. What was his weapon of choice? (Hum the Lone Ranger theme.) 5. Is Reno, Nev., east or west of Los Angeles? 6. During a Leap Year, how many times does the sun go around the Earth? 7. Which U.S. state, known for its lovely beaches, lies farthest south? 8. True or false: The name of a notorious woman who was convicted of killing her parents with an ax was Lizzie Borden. 9. Which goes farther north, Maine or Idaho? 10. Going from the Atlantic to the Pacific, through the Panama Canal, in which direction are you traveling -- east or west? ANSWERS 1. The Virgin Mary -- not, as about everyone but a seminary student will tell you, Jesus. Being Jewish, I'm a bit confused about this one. Can someone provide a reference? 2. Five years -- since the movie takes place in the past. (Does the phrase "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away" mean anything to you?) 3. Everyone will say west. But it's also the furthest east -- some of Alaska's Aleutian Islands are on the far side of longitude 180 degrees, the line that separates west from east. The International Date Line generally follows 180 but kinks to include the westernmost Aleutians. Nevetheless, this is correct since those islands are closer to Greenwich east-bound than west-bound. 4. Since the William Tell Overture is the real name of the tune, the answer is a crossbow -- not a six-shooter. 5. West. (Look at a map.) 6. Zero. Earth orbits the sun. I would hope that you can't win much on this one, sheesh. 7. Hawaii, not as suckers will presume, Florida. 8. False. Lizzie was found not guilty -- like O.J. 9. Idaho stretches a lot further north than most people realize -- about 60 miles higher than Maine. 10. East. I always liked this one. Owing to a curve in the Ithsmus of Panama, the Atlantic entrance is actually west of that on the Pacific side. When I was in college, a favorite bar-bet involved the drunken claimant insisting that there was a Viking ship on top of the First National Bank building in downtown Lubbock. There was in fact a replica Viking longship in a patio area on the roof of the 2 story mezzanine section, not the 15 story building itself. It was clearly visible from the 3 story parking garage across the street, where the gullible were taken to be relieved of whatever wager they had made against the claim. It has long since been removed. |
| Posted by:Atomic Conspiracy |
| #3 Unless the force is with you. |
| Posted by: Obiwan 2005-03-05 9:57:04 PM |
| #2 no man can eat 50 eggs - Luke |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-03-05 9:03:30 PM |
| #1 AC, here's your immaculate conception ref. |
| Posted by: Sobiesky 2005-03-05 8:54:02 PM |