ANNOUNCEMENT: T-Party Midwest at Minnesota (02.13.2010)

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 7:56 pm

The University of Minnesota will be hosting T-Party on February 13, 2009. The tournament will take place on the scenic Twin Cities campus, most likely at Blegen Hall (tell your friends you're spending the weekend on the West Bank!).

To register teams, please send an email to [email protected] and, just in case, [email protected] with the number of teams your program expects to bring, as well as the number of staffers and/or buzzers you will be bringing. I'd also like emergency contact information for at least one representative from your team, in case you're waylaid by bandits or something.

PACKET SUBMISSION DETAILS

In a submitted packet, we'd like to see:

5/5 literature (1/1 American, 1/1 British, 1/1 European, 1/1 World, 1/1 additional of any category)
5/5 history (1/1 American, 3/3 European [of which one question is on British history and one is on ancient history], 1/1 World)
5/5 science (1/1 physics, 1/1 chemistry, 1/1 biology, 1/1 other science [math, CS, earth science, astrophysics; don't do two of the same], 1/1 additional of any category or difficult-to-categorize topics)
3/3 RMP (1/1 mythology, 1/1 religion, 1/1 philosophy; try to ensure that your mythology is about dudes and deeds and your religion is about worship)
3/3 fine arts (1/1 painting, 1/1 non-opera music, 1/1 other arts [opera, architecture, sculpture, dance, photography, film, jazz, questions about Bob Dylan if you are Chris White; please do one vis and one aud])
2/2 social science (at least one question must be geography; no more than 1/1 can be geography)
1/1 trash
24/24 total

Here's the submission schedule:

12/20: -$50 (-$75 for teams that don't have to submit by ACF guidelines) -- if you gift-wrap your packet and mail it to one of us, you are discounted whatever that would cost you because it would make me SO HAPPY
1/3: -$25 (-$50 for teams that don't have to submit by ACF guidelines)
1/17: $0 (-$25 for teams that don't have to submit by ACF guidelines)
1/24: +$25
1/31: +$50
2/7: +$100
After 2/7, we'll grant twenty-four hour extensions one at a time; each one will cost $10.

Here's something that is a little unclear sometimes: when does this amorphous blob we call "12/20" end? This is particularly difficult because of time zones. So here it is: if your packet isn't in one of our hands by 4:00am Central time on the night of the deadline day (so your clock would, technically, read 4:00am 12/21, for example), then you have missed the deadline. There won't be leniency here because leniency gets exploited. End of story.

DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT A PACKET? As per ACF guidelines, if your teams has one or more players on it who's played a tournament before September of 2008, then you have to submit a packet.

TOURNAMENT FEES
$100 to play
-$10 per staffer used
-$10 per working buzzer system provided (working defined as eight or more working buzzers)
-$5 per laptop used
-$10 for traveling 200 miles or more

FURTHER INFORMATION: Check the main T-Party thread for updates regarding the tournament; for information about this site specifically, email me at [email protected].

We hope you come to our tournament!
Rob Carson
University of Minnesota Quizbowl

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 7:59 pm

We are also apparently running Mike Bentley's visual tournament, presumably at some point Saturday night after the tournament (and possibly after dinner, depending on logistics).

CURRENT FIELD STATUS
Eden Prairie HS (1) (buzzer)
House (2) (2? buzzers)
Wisconsin+Rom (1) (buzzers)
Nisnocsiw (1)
Chicago (1) (2 buzzers)
Carleton (2) (buzzer)
St. Thomas Academy (1) (buzzer)
(total: 9)

Gautam · Post by **Gautam** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 12:45 am

I've spoken with Rob and Andy on this, and we've come to the agreement that Minnesota* will be writing 2 to 3 house packets and having this mirror be a non-packet submission event. That is, teams playing at this mirror will not have to write packets.

There is one catch. Teams will be required to write a packet if there's a geographically closer mirror that they could otherwise attend. In other words, if your institution is located geographically closer to a different mirror, but you still want to come to ours, you will have to write a packet.

Experienced teams are still strongly encouraged to write questions. All submissions will help the editors immensely in their efforts to deliver a solid tournament.

If you have any questions about whether your institution will be affected by this, please contact me at [email protected].

* I will be writing a good portion of these questions, but others will be contributing as necessary. This is going to be my last effort to attract local teams we have not seen at many mACF events.

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:28 am

Bumping for field update. Sign up for this surely delightful tournament, people!

Gautam · Post by **Gautam** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:13 pm

NotWisconsin has expressed interest in sending one team.

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 2:18 pm

gkandlikar wrote:NotWisconsin has expressed interest in sending one team.

Noted!

chicago and carleton I am looking at you

EncyclopediaCDRom · Post by **EncyclopediaCDRom** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 9:19 am

By all means add me as a free agent for this tea-party in which I would be delighted to participate. I recently realized that I could drive during daylight on Friday (Lincoln's birthday) and return on Sunday (Valentine's Day). This could be the quiz-bowl debut of my new Rommobile. Do any Chicagoans need a 7-hour cruise-control ride each way?

Happy 1st anniversary, Mr. President,
Rom, Scarlett, Suellen, Carreen, & Anna but no more Kristi, Smokey, & Tiger, alas

marnold · Post by **marnold** » Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:49 am

1 team, 2 buzzers and countless hopes and prayers that Tam Tam's has reopened after moving.

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:03 pm

marnold wrote:1 team, 2 buzzers and countless hopes and prayers that Tam Tam's has reopened after moving.

There are coupons for Tam Tam's in the most recent publically-handed out coupon books, so I am hopeful!

Updated the first post with fees since somehow that had not yet been done. Carleton, Lawrence, other local teams, where are you? No packet submission necessary!

Cheynem · Post by **Cheynem** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:15 pm

Carleton submitted a packet, so I assume they're coming.

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 3:24 pm

Cheynem wrote:Carleton submitted a packet, so I assume they're coming.

I figured as much; they still haven't done anything to register though.

Maxwell Sniffingwell · Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:51 pm

Ukonvasara wrote:Lawrence, other local teams, where are you?

We're 5.5 hours away - hardly "local."

I've been unable to find a driver or teammates, as it's during our midterm reading period and we're playing tournaments the previous two weekends. Maybe next year.

EncyclopediaCDRom · Post by **EncyclopediaCDRom** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:38 am

I would be willing to drive any Lawrence players from Milwaukee to the Twin Cities and back. Alternatively, I could drive some Chicago players round-trip. I would like to play that visual pyramidal tourney, which I could just not staff technically.

Congratulations on acquiring Jim Thome,
Rom

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:00 pm

Field status: updated. If you're coming to this tournament, please bring buzzers; one of ours apparently started emitting smoke(!) at SCT.

Most likely, the format will be RR+bracketed RR+final(s).

Post by **theMoMA** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:00 pm

Looking forward to seeing some new faces at this tournament! Is the plan still to host the visual tournament on Saturday night (possibly after dinner)?

Cheynem · Post by **Cheynem** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:06 pm

That would seem to make the most sense, although I haven't been in conversation with Mike. Technology would be the sticking point here, I suppose, as we'll need a projector.

Mike Bentley · Post by **Mike Bentley** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:17 pm

Cheynem wrote:That would seem to make the most sense, although I haven't been in conversation with Mike. Technology would be the sticking point here, I suppose, as we'll need a projector.

I sent Rob the information about the tournament. Yes, you need a projector for this. The tournament should take around 90 minutes, maybe less.

Post by **theMoMA** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:19 pm

I know we can arrange projectors through room reservations. If that somehow doesn't work, I'd be fine with having people over and hooking it up to my TV.

Cheynem · Post by **Cheynem** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:20 pm

Thanks, Mike. Looking forward to the tournament even though I probably won't answer a single question. As that woman in the Focus Factor commercial says, "If they're giving it away for free, it must be good."

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:54 pm

Some logistics information:

The tournament will be held in Coffman Union (300 Washington Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 55455). Parking can be found most conveniently at the East River Road garage, located below Coffman, or the Washington Avenue ramp, located down Washington Avenue from Coffman. Free parking can be found through a life of prayer and devotion, though you may also have some luck on nearby residential streets.

Check-in will begin at 8:15 am or thereabouts, and we'd really like to get moving on rounds by as close to 9 am as possible. Due to scheduling wackiness, we lose the rooms between 1 pm and 2 pm, so we'll be having lunch then!

Post by **theMoMA** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:11 pm

Recent experience suggests that if it's snowing, street parking should not be trusted.

Cheynem · Post by **Cheynem** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:16 pm

Yeah, Minnesota police are Nazis when it comes to towing.

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:17 pm

Okay, I misunderstood; this will be a bit more complicated than I thought. The tournament will begin in Blegen Hall on the West Bank of the U's campus (nearby parking). We'll see if they attempt to kick us out at/after 1 pm; if they do, we have secured rooms in Coffman from 2 pm on.

Registration will be in 125 Blegen starting, again, at around 8:15 am.

The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man · Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:01 pm

Hey, I was wondering if it would still be possible to sign up a team for Saint Thomas Academy? I thought I would be out of town, but plans have changed, which is the reason for me not saying anything sooner.

We'd be able to bring a buzzer system to replace the smoking one

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:39 pm

der_ubermensch wrote:Hey, I was wondering if it would still be possible to sign up a team for Saint Thomas Academy? I thought I would be out of town, but plans have changed, which is the reason for me not saying anything sooner.

We'd be able to bring a buzzer system to replaced the smoking one

You sure can! Bringing a buzzer is even better.

EncyclopediaCDRom · Post by **EncyclopediaCDRom** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:14 am

I could bring my CPS LED projector, especially since I want to play the evening visual arts tournament. Can you recommend a nearby hotel/motel not as overpriced as that Days Inn? I plan to play solo for UIC, but there remains plenty of room in my car for players along the I-94 and/or I-90 corridor. What times does JEOPARDY! air in the Twin Cities? I sure would like to check into my room before the final of the College Championship airs Friday.

Happy early Lincoln's Birthday,
Rom

naturalistic phallacy · Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:24 am

EncyclopediaCDRom wrote:I could bring my CPS LED projector, especially since I want to play the evening visual arts tournament. Can you recommend a nearby hotel/motel not as overpriced as that Days Inn? I plan to play solo for UIC, but there remains plenty of room in my car for players along the I-94 and/or I-90 corridor. What times does JEOPARDY! air in the Twin Cities? I sure would like to check into my room before the final of the College Championship airs Friday.

Happy early Lincoln's Birthday,
Rom

There are projectors in every room in Blegen, and we can probably get one for Coffman. Thanks, though! Jeopardy airs at 4.30pm here on channel 11. Regarding hotels, I'd recommend looking into the Best Western Bandana Square.

Post by **theMoMA** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 3:47 pm

Do you know if we have to sign up in order to get functionality from those projectors though?

naturalistic phallacy · Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:31 pm

theMoMA wrote:Do you know if we have to sign up in order to get functionality from those projectors though?

The Blegen projectors just require a computer to a VGA port, which I know most older laptops (and Gautam) have. Upon further investigation, it appears that we would have to pay to get the projector access at Coffman.

Post by **gaurav.kandlikar** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 8:34 pm

Hey,

We can bring a buzzer that can be used if needed, too.

Gaurav

Cheynem · Post by **Cheynem** » Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:37 pm

SUPER-DUPER

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:59 am

gaurav.kandlikar wrote:Hey,

We can bring a buzzer that can be used if needed, too.

Gaurav

More is always better, plus it saves you money. What's not to love?

Reasonably final field update posted; until I hear back from Wisconsin I'm going to put Rom on the second house team (unless of course he has any objection to this!).

The actual tournament location will likely change from what has been posted (again); please stay tuned. I'll be sending out a mass email tomorrow with final details and contact information.

Sen. Estes Kefauver (D-TN) · Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:41 am

(unless of course he has any objection to this!).

One of many instances of laughably unnecessary exclamation marks on this board.

AKKOLADE · Post by **AKKOLADE** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:58 am

Consider yourself fortunate I can't get word filters to work properly with punctuation.

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 12:05 pm

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

(note: field updated)

(!)

EncyclopediaCDRom · Post by **EncyclopediaCDRom** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:16 pm

I count 9 teams now, not 10. Will there be a second Minnesota house team? Is a bye round necessary? Did any Midwestern team submit a packet? Will UIUC attend a different T-Party? I would rather not play solo, so I would be delighted to play on a house team or with Wisconsin.

I wonder if my Best Western Bandana Square carries Speed TV for tonight's NASCAR Trucks season-opener at Daytona. How far is the Mall of America? HHH Metrodome? Target Field? I drive back Monday.

Happy Lincoln's Birthday,
Rom

dtaylor4 · Post by **dtaylor4** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:16 pm

EncyclopediaCDRom wrote:I count 9 teams now, not 10. Will there be a second Minnesota house team? Is a bye round necessary? Did any Midwestern team submit a packet? Will UIUC attend a different T-Party? I would rather not play solo, so I would be delighted to play on a house team or with Wisconsin.

UIUC will be attending the mirror at Centre in Kentucky.

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:27 pm

Sorry, hit the wrong number when I was fixing the house teams. Rom, you'll be playing with Wisconsin; there will be two house teams.

OctagonJoe · Post by **OctagonJoe** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:24 pm

Ukonvasara wrote:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

(note: field updated)

(!)

Is this a sly way of saying that !!! will be performing at the halftime show?

The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man · Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:42 pm

Is the St. Thomas in the field update area meant to signify UST or STA? I sent an e-mail registration thingy little while back and told teammates to be at the U of M tomorrow

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:58 pm

der_ubermensch wrote:Is the St. Thomas in the field update area meant to signify UST or STA? I sent an e-mail registration thingy little while back and told teammates to be at the U of M tomorrow

That's you guys! I'm sorry I forgot to email you back. You'll get something later tonight with contact info and the like.

Post by **Auks Ran Ova** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:19 pm

Macalester has dropped, since they all got sick or something, I don't know. RR + brackets + finals is still the likely format, the tournament will still take place in Blegen, you'll still be getting an email later.

Gautam · Post by **Gautam** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 12:56 pm

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~kand0028/quiz_bo ... dings.html

^ Prelim stats now up to round 5.

EDIT

Gautam · Post by **Gautam** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:21 pm

Prelims are done. Playoffs began a few minutes ago. The above link should work for Rounds 1-9.

Gautam

Gautam · Post by **Gautam** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:22 pm

Tournament briefly interrupted by errant fire alarm. Round 2 of playoffs back in progress.

You can peruse playoff stats at: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~kand0028/quiz_bo ... dings.html

Gautam · Post by **Gautam** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:02 am

This T-Party mirror happened, with 9 teams in attendance. Minnesota Byrne baby Byrne (Brendan Byrne, Eliza Grames, and, for the most part, Michael van de Weghe) went 3-0 in the top playoff bracket to win the tournament with a 10-1 record. Second was Minnesota Hart of the Matter (Andrew Hart, Matt Hart, Lauren Johnson) who went 2-1 in the playoff bracket with an 8-3 overall record.

I'd like to thank the editors for their hard work on the tournament set. Rob Carson, Bernadette Spencer, Mike Cheyne, and Joe Hansen also read tirelessly for several round, and deserve recognition. I'd also like to thank all those who played the tournament and I hope everyone found it enjoyable. I know it took much longer than expected, and hopefully we can do something about it in the future tournaments we host.

The stats for the overall tournament are on my laptop and I will upload them once I have the opportunity to do so.

Until then, prelim stats can be found here and playoff stats can be found here.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

EDIT: combined stats, as promised, can be found here.

SnookerUSF · Post by **SnookerUSF** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:52 am

I know we can't talk about the questions yet, but I wanted to congratulate the editors for a really, really good set of questions. It was a delight to play.