The Quizbowl Resource Center

by **Cheynem** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 9:56 pm

This is a formal announcement for Minnesota Open 2011, to take place on the weekend of November 19-20, 2011.

EDITING: Eric Mukherjee, Bernadette Spencer, Rob Carson, Sweet Swingin' Saajid Moyen, and yours truly, Mike Cheyne, will be on the editing team. Start learning anecdotes! Andrew Hart will also be writing questions.

ELIGIBILITY: This is a true open event, meaning that there are no eligibility requirements.

TARGET DIFFICULTY: Roughly the same as last year's Minnesota Open. Again, be responsibly difficult.

TARGET LENGTH: Please submit questions six lines or longer in 10-point Times New Roman font, with one inch margins [note: one inch is not always the default]. The more material we have to work with, the better. Final questions will converge around eight lines in length, with some longer and some shorter.

POWERS: Against my objections, I'm pretty sure there will be powers, but the editors will place them. Please don't powermark your submitted questions.

FORMATTING: Please use the standard ACF style. This means "for 10 points", not "FTP" or "for ten points". I'm not anal enough to change them all, but apparently Rob is! Ten point, Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. Please do not use other fonts--they are icky. Please lump together all questions of a certain part of the distribution, preceded with "5/5 Literature" or whatever the heading may be.

DISTRIBUTION 24/24 total:

15/15 Big Three
5/5 Literature [at least 1/1 World, American, European, and British; vary reasonably by time, and include a mix of poetry, drama, and novels]
5/5 History [at least 1/1 American, European, and World and at least 1 British; vary reasonably by time, limit military history to 5 or fewer total questions]
5/5 Science [at least 1/1 Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Other Science (Astronomy, computer science, earth science/geology, math, paleontology); no science biography; no more than 1 of any given "other science"]

3/3 RMP
1/1 Mythology [at least 1 non-Greco-Roman myth]
1/1 Philosophy [maximum 1 ancient philosophy; feel free to write on pre-Socratics, but only in an interesting way]
1/1 Religion [at least 1 J/C/I is encouraged but not mandated; I'd like to see some inventiveness here since minor religion bowl can get kind of old]

3/3 Fine Arts
1/1 Painting [vary reasonably by time; try to include mostly works-based clues]
1/1 Non-opera Music
1/0 or 0/1 Other visual arts [sculpture, architecture, justifiably-fine-arts film, installation art]
1/0 or 0/1 Other musical arts [opera, ballet, dance, or jazz]

2/2 Social Sciences + Geography + Current Events
1/1 Social Sciences [includes law, anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics, game theory; no more than one question on each discipline]
1/0 or 0/1 Geography or Current Events
0/1 or 1/0 Additional Social Sciences, Geography, or Current Events [no more than one geography question and one CE question in packets, please]

1/1 Your Choice
1/1 pop culture, sports, general knowledge, or additional/fringe academic [no more than one question on any given topic, trash is fun, but try some accessible creative ideas here]

SUBMITTING PACKETS: Please email your packets to minnesotaopen2011 (at) gmail (dot) com.

Base cost. The base cost is $120.

Discount/penalty schedule.
-$50: September 18, 2011
-$25: October 2, 2011
No discount/penalty: October 16, 2011
+$25: October 23, 2011
+$50: October 30, 2011
+$100: November 6, 2011
After November 7: +$10/day

Note that packet discounts and penalties work on a sliding scale. Furthermore, packets themselves will be prorated, if desired--that is, if you have all your questions done and your teammates are being lazy jerks, submit your questions anyway and you'll get a partial discount. DOUBLE FURTHERMORE, packet deadlines are understood thus: the absolute latest a packet can be turned in to receive any given discount or penalty is four a.m. the succeeding day.

WHO MUST WRITE A PACKET?: If you are playing the main site, you must write a full packet. Since we anticipate the Penn site to have a decent field, teams playing at that site must write AT LEAST a half packet, with a full packet recommended and also earning a larger discount (see the pending Penn mirror thread for more details).

Other discounts.
Buzzer (max 4): -$5
Moderator: -$20
Additional teams from same school: -$10 [that is, both Middle Tennessee B and Middle Tennessee C would start with a base cost of $110]
Travel: $10 off if over 300 miles

MIRRORS: This tournament will be run at the University of Minnesota and the University of Pennsylvania. More information/threads to follow. We are looking for definitely a west coast mirror and perhaps elsewhere too.

FREELANCING: We would really appreciate it if anyone wishes to write a freelance packet.

PACKETS RECEIVED (I don't have the pricing stuff yet, which will be added later--some of these are partials)
WUSTL
UCSD
Bentley/Davis/Magin/Hausinger
Illinois + Shantanu
Teitler/Koo/Laferbrook
Maryland
Ted/Jerry/Bruce
Yale
Chicago
GMU
Michigan

FIELD (at Minnesota Site)

Teams
Seth Teitler/Selene Koo/Matt Lafer/Ryan Westbrook
WUSTL
Illinois (and ___?)
Chicago A
Chicago B
Mike Bentley/Mike Hausinger/Brendan Byrne/Trevor Davis
Michigan
House
Gautam Kandlikar/Joe Hansen/Anant Shah/Alex Gawenda

by **Ukonvasara** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:47 am

Thanks for posting this, Mike! I kept forgetting.

by **Gautam** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:42 pm

Due to potential changes in my Thanksgiving plans, I will be able to come to this tournament.

Seeking teammates.

by **eliza.grames** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 6:41 pm

Logistical Information for the Minnesota Site of MO
Location and Time: This event will be in Blegen Hall on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota Campus. We'll be meeting in room 5 (the auditorium). Check-in will run from 8:15-8:45, with games starting at 9 am.

Registration: Registrations should be in by no later than 11/17 and preferably way earlier than that, especially because if you submit a packet after November 7, you will be paying massive fines.

I can make recommendations for food, lodging, parking, other transportation options, and directions if needed. If you have any questions about the actual packet set, direct them to Rob. Logistical questions can be sent to me at quizbowl@umn.edu.

by **Mike Bentley** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 7:13 pm

I will likely attend pending decent prices on plane tickets. Let me know if you want to team up: bentley.michael.j@gmail.com.

by **setht** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:27 am

Selene and I are teaming up for this, and we have a possible third lined up. It would be nice to get a better handle on how many free agents are planning on showing up so we can figure out if we should be snapping up Gautam or Mike or whoever to fill out our team, or if we should stop because there are only going to be 5 or 6 free agents forming 2 open teams. Is Laferbrook coming out to this?

Also, what's the word on side events?

-Seth

by **Cheynem** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:13 am

If Mike wants to run Eyes That Do Not See III, that would be fine. It's highly unlikely but perhaps potentially possible my film side event will be finished for this. I'm not sure what else is out there.

by **magin** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:27 am

If ticket prices aren't too crazy, I'm pretty interested in flying out and playing.

by **eliza.grames** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 2:56 pm

Cheynem wrote:If Mike wants to run Eyes That Do Not See III, that would be fine.

If we are running this, I'll need some advance warning to make sure I have the appropriate technology set up and modify our room reservations.

by **Mike Bentley** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 3:00 pm

eliza.grames wrote:
Cheynem wrote:If Mike wants to run Eyes That Do Not See III, that would be fine.

If we are running this, I'll need some advance warning to make sure I have the appropriate technology set up and modify our room reservations.

Yeah, the tournament should be ready by then.

In the event that you aren't able to get rooms with a projector, we can do last year's solution of just running it simultaneously on a bunch of laptops.

by **Charbroil** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 3:23 pm

What do the field and packet situations look like?

by **Cheynem** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 3:29 pm

SHOCKINGLY, we haven't received any packets yet.

The field is what you see in this thread. If you'd like me to compile it into a list, I'll do that at some point.

by **Charbroil** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 5:23 pm

Cheynem wrote:SHOCKINGLY, we haven't received any packets yet.

The field is what you see in this thread. If you'd like me to compile it into a list, I'll do that at some point.

I sent in a packet over two weeks ago. Should I forward you the original email?

by **Charbroil** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 5:29 pm

Charbroil wrote:
Cheynem wrote:SHOCKINGLY, we haven't received any packets yet.

The field is what you see in this thread. If you'd like me to compile it into a list, I'll do that at some point.

I sent in a packet over two weeks ago. Should I forward you the original email?

That packet was for a WUSTL team which I also sent in the registration for, by the way--I'm guessing you also didn't get that? If not, please let me know if there is a better email than the one provided above ("minnesotaopen2011 (at) gmail (dot) com")

by **The Quest for the Historical Mukherjesus** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 5:54 pm

Charbroil wrote:
Charbroil wrote:
Cheynem wrote:SHOCKINGLY, we haven't received any packets yet.

The field is what you see in this thread. If you'd like me to compile it into a list, I'll do that at some point.

I sent in a packet over two weeks ago. Should I forward you the original email?

That packet was for a WUSTL team which I also sent in the registration for, by the way--I'm guessing you also didn't get that? If not, please let me know if there is a better email than the one provided above ("minnesotaopen2011 (at) gmail (dot) com")

Yeah sorry for not responding, Charles. We got your packet.

by **Strongside** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 6:13 pm

I am planning to play this tournament, and am looking for teammates.

by **Cheynem** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 6:33 pm

Sorry about the mix-up Charles. I've added your team to the field and after the first deadline will begin a running packet count.

by **eliza.grames** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 6:42 pm

Mike Bentley wrote:
eliza.grames wrote:
Cheynem wrote:If Mike wants to run Eyes That Do Not See III, that would be fine.

If we are running this, I'll need some advance warning to make sure I have the appropriate technology set up and modify our room reservations.

Yeah, the tournament should be ready by then.

In the event that you aren't able to get rooms with a projector, we can do last year's solution of just running it simultaneously on a bunch of laptops.

I should be able to get a room with a projector or potentially even a giant TV screen if this gets run on Sunday afternoon.

by **MLafer** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:17 am

setht wrote:Selene and I are teaming up for this, and we have a possible third lined up. It would be nice to get a better handle on how many free agents are planning on showing up so we can figure out if we should be snapping up Gautam or Mike or whoever to fill out our team, or if we should stop because there are only going to be 5 or 6 free agents forming 2 open teams. Is Laferbrook coming out to this?

Also, what's the word on side events?

-Seth

I'm pretty certain we'll be going.

by **setht** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:20 am

Cheynem wrote:highly unlikely but perhaps potentially possible

Sounds like a lock to happen.

-Seth

by **Gautam** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:49 pm

gkandlikar wrote:Due to potential changes in my Thanksgiving plans, I will be able to come to this tournament.

Seeking teammates.

So it looks like I will have to make some trips to customer sites over the next few months. I am not sure how the assignments for those trips work out, so I'm not 100% certain that I'll be free this weekend and be able to attend this tournament (probably like 97% right now.) If the sub-100% probability doesn't cut it, please seek other teammates.

by **eliza.grames** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:12 am

Although this will be emphasized and figured out as the tournament draws closer, I'd like to alert people that this tournament will need to run as quickly as possible on Saturday because the building in which our rooms are reserved technically closes at 4 pm (and we will need to prop open doors after that point).

Side events on Saturday night (including Eyes That Do Not See III) will be in Coffman Memorial Union, where we have reservations starting at 7 pm (which was the earliest available). This means there will be a short dinner break between MO proper and side events. Sunday morning side events will be run in the Mayo Auditorium Breezeway and moved to Coffman Memorial Union at noon when the building opens.

by **Cheynem** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:22 am

Are there actually any Sunday side events? I guess there's Auroni's event if people wanted to run that here.

I also would note that it seems especially optimistic to expect MO to be finished by 4:00, but we have never really had problems by going over aside from the doors locking.

by **eliza.grames** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:31 am

Cheynem wrote:Are there actually any Sunday side events? I guess there's Auroni's event if people wanted to run that here.

I also would note that it seems especially optimistic to expect MO to be finished by 4:00, but we have never really had problems by going over aside from the doors locking.

I wasn't sure if there were Sunday side events, so I went ahead and booked rooms just in case before all the room reservations were no longer available. Also, I don't anticipate getting out of Blegen before 4 pm, but I just wanted to alert people to this problem in advance because it would be helpful if everyone could show up on time so that we do not start later than necessary.

by **Magister Ludi** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:44 am

Is there any update about an announcement for the Penn mirror for MO?

by **Ike** » Tue Sep 20, 2011 3:29 pm

University of Illinois will have one team here. It is very possible we will be looking for a free agent or two.

by **Mike Bentley** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:32 am

magin wrote:If ticket prices aren't too crazy, I'm pretty interested in flying out and playing.

Jonathan and I are playing together. If you're interested in teaming up, send me an e-mail: bentley.michael.j@gmail.com.

by **Gautam** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 8:43 pm

I am playing with Messrs. Malis, Donohue, and Shah.

by **Quantum Mushroom Billiard Hat** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 4:38 pm

I'm hoping to make it to this. Let me know if you are looking for a teammate.

by **Excelsior (smack)** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 4:54 pm

Magister Ludi wrote:Is there any update about an announcement for the Penn mirror for MO?

by **Cheynem** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:06 pm

Questions about the Penn site should be directed toward Eric Mukherjee.

by **Ras superfamily** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:58 pm

Magister Ludi wrote:Is there any update about an announcement for the Penn mirror for MO?

I'll try to make sure this happens tonight

by **Mike Bentley** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 8:44 pm

Quantum Mushroom Billiard Hat wrote:I'm hoping to make it to this. Let me know if you are looking for a teammate.

Michael, Jonathan and I are now on a team and are looking for a fourth player.

by **Mike Bentley** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:37 am

Mike Bentley wrote:
Quantum Mushroom Billiard Hat wrote:I'm hoping to make it to this. Let me know if you are looking for a teammate.

Michael, Jonathan and I are now on a team and are looking for a fourth player.

Trevor Davis has joined our team.

by **Strongside** » Fri Oct 14, 2011 4:43 pm

I am still looking for a team for this tournament. If you want to play with me and have an opening, email me or post here.

by **Mike Bentley** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:56 pm

Strongside wrote:I am still looking for a team for this tournament. If you want to play with me and have an opening, email me or post here.

Jonathan is no longer able to make it to the Minnesota site, so Brendan will be joining the team of myself, Trevor Davis and Michael Hausinger in his place.

by **... and the chaos of Mexican modernity** » Wed Oct 26, 2011 10:52 pm

Is there a list anywhere on who has submitted packets?

Edit: There seems to be a list now

by **Ringil** » Fri Oct 28, 2011 2:48 pm

We'll be coming to this with one team. Hopefully our packet will be done this weekend.

by **The Quest for the Historical Mukherjesus** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 4:19 pm

Packet submission for this tournament is now closed, with the exception of people who have sent me incomplete packets and still owe us questions (Jerry!). Any team who wishes to play at this point will either pay the full +50$ fee and/or should speak to the heads of their respective mirrors.

by **Dan-Don** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:55 pm

Sorry for not letting you know sooner, but the Donohue/Kandilikar/Malis packet never really materialized, so we're not going to this.

by **Cheynem** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:56 pm

You guys can still come to this tournament without a packet if that's the only concern, as I'm sure we can work something out.

by **Dan-Don** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:02 pm

Cheynem wrote:You guys can still come to this tournament without a packet if that's the only concern, as I'm sure we can work something out.

All right, thanks. I'll bring it up at practice and see if we still wanna go. I'll try to let you know within a week.

by **Cheynem** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:22 pm

Are you going to bring that awful Anant with you?

by **Dan-Don** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:49 pm

Malis and I can't attend. I'm not sure what Anant and Gautam's plans are.

by **indiaisasubcontinent7** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 1:11 am

Cheynem wrote:Are you going to bring that awful Anant with you?

I would like to play without having written a packet, if that is possible.

by **Ukonvasara** » Sat Nov 05, 2011 4:09 am

indiaisasubcontinent7 wrote:
Cheynem wrote:Are you going to bring that awful Anant with you?

I would like to play without having written a packet, if that is possible.

Yeah, we'll figure something out for you and Gautam. You'll probably be playing with Joe and a Minnesotan.

by **eliza.grames** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 11:19 am

Ukonvasara wrote:
indiaisasubcontinent7 wrote:
I would like to play without having written a packet, if that is possible.

Yeah, we'll figure something out for you and Gautam. You'll probably be playing with Joe and a Minnesotan.

Just to clarify: this team would not need to submit a packet, right? Or, if it would have to submit a packet I can be the "Minnesotan" and work on the packet but only if we don't get charged lots of late fees.

by **PISTOL SHOOTING FOR LADIES** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 11:28 am

eliza.grames wrote:
Ukonvasara wrote:
indiaisasubcontinent7 wrote:
I would like to play without having written a packet, if that is possible.

Yeah, we'll figure something out for you and Gautam. You'll probably be playing with Joe and a Minnesotan.

Just to clarify: this team would not need to submit a packet, right? Or, if it would have to submit a packet I can be the "Minnesotan" and work on the packet but only if we don't get charged lots of late fees.

We don't need any more packets, as far as I know, so you guys should be fine without one.

by **Cheynem** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 11:29 am

This team would not be submitting a packet--our house players certainly wouldn't be charged and we can work someway out for that terrible Gautam or Anant to pay us.

by **Sam** » Sun Nov 13, 2011 12:42 am

What's the final word on side events? Eyes that Do Not See is to be played Saturday night; anything else then or Sunday?

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