Scavenger Hunt

Hi it's me again.

This week's task is to answer a bunch of slightly kooky questions by using the Internet. I for one am a huge lover of the Google but we have to use "alternatives" here so if all my answers are wrong then it's not my fault-they should have let me use Google!

Question 1: What is the weight of the world's biggest pumpkin?

The Journey: Am wondering if there will ever be a time in my life where i will need this information but am looking anyway. Tried Guniess World Records which i thought was rather creative but no match so am trying ask jeeves. Okay have done that and am amazed by the newfound knowledge that there are actual websites called "Ten Steps to a Giant Pumpkin" People actually do this? Still ahve to find the record though so...

Answer: Okay found it, not entirely positive it is correct but can't find anything else and really don't want to spend the whole tute on one question so...the world's heaviest pumpkin was grown by Ron Wallace in Rhode Island and weighed...1502 pounds. This is the 2006 record.

Source: http://www.backyardgardener.com/record.html

Question 2: What is the best way to contact Grant Hackett?

The Journey: Seriosuly, the last person i would ever think to contact but here goes...okay there is officially a website for every stalker. I actually found a website called contactanycelebrity.com but it charges you money and i will find a free way if it kills me.

Answer: Do not have one. This question cannot be answered by me and my lack of internet knowledge. If you really want to contact Grant Hackett you'll just have to ask someone else.

Question 3: What is the length of a giraffe's tongue?

The Journey: One word-ew.

Answer: Again gross, the giraffe can extend its tongue up to 18 inches or 45 cm.

Source: www.animalplanet.com

Question 4: How would you define the world "ontology"?

The Journey: Again, something easy. i like words so i know a website...i hope

Answer: According to the source it is "the metaphysical study of the nature of being or existence" and my translation of this is to study the idea of "being" so living i guess, existing by using philosphy like speculative or abstract reasoning (metaphysically).

Source: www.dictionary.com

Question 5: What was David Cronenberg's first movie?

The Journey: This is actually a totally easy one for me (thank god!) IMBD is like my favorite website and has everything about movies ever...practically.

Answer: Stereo in 1969 as director and writer.

Source: www.imdb.com (Internet Movie Database)

Question 6: When was the original Hacker's Manifesto written?

The Journey: I really hope this is not a serial killer's book...Okay it's not a serial killer book but it is really confusing. I have found two answers so i will put them both down.

Answer 1: A Hacker Manifesto by McKenzie Wark was published October 4, 2004.

Source: www.amazon.com

Answer 2: The Hacker Manifesto by The Mentor. Written January 8 1986.

Source: www.mithral.com

Question 7: Why do all the phone numbers in Hollywood films start with 555?

The Journey: Exactly no idea where I'm going to find the answer to this one...

Answer: Okay i think i accidentally stumbled on a site that was a blog of a previous student in this class even though i did it through askjeeves.com. The answer is apparently to keep people from seeing real numbers on screen and attempting to call them and harassing poor people who are not actually characters in a movie. It started about 30 years ago according to my source.

Source: http://sanchia.blogspot.com/

Question 8: What is the cheapest form of travel from Crete to Rhodes?

The Journey: Am trying to remember that commercial that advertises all those air fares, the one on tv about all the different air lines being there but as I have no idea where Crete or Rhodes is, i might start there.

Answer: Crete and Rhodes are in Athens and the cheapest way to get from one to the other is by ferry.

Source: www.lonelyplanet.com

Question 9: What song was top of the Australian Pop Charts this week in 1965?

Answer: "If I ruled the world" by Tony Bennet

Source: Took from another member of class.

Question 10: Which Brisbane band includes Stephen Stockwell on keyboards and vocals?

Answer: Black Assasins

Source: Another member of the class again.


All done! Have to admit that I did use Msn.com a little, but mainly as a starter. Kind of learnt that i actually do know some ways other than Google to find stuff which is good to know. At least now i wonlt have to say "I'll google it!" with everything...but that's still fun to say and the easiest way!