Obscure Matter Dripping From My Brain Quiz

Answer: Switched-On Bach

Bach classics were performed on a Moog Synthesizer. "Switched-On Bach" won three Grammy Awards: Best Classical Album, Best Classical Performance - Instrumental Soloist, and Best Engineered Classical Recording.

Answer: hot air balloon flight

Initially it was felt that a man would not be able to survive the altitudes that a hot air balloon would reach. The Montgolfier brothers tested this theory using a sheep, a duck, and a rooster. The sheep was used to prove that a man could survive the altitude.

The duck was used as a control since it was used to altitudes. The rooster was used as a control as well even though it doesn't fly high, apparently no other high flyers were available. Or, the chick and the duck were friends, and the duck didn't want to fly alone! (Sorry "Friends" fans, I couldn't resist!)

Answer: a bundle of cut stalks of grain or similar plants bound with straw or twine

"Bringing in the Sheaves" was written by Knowles Shaw. His inspiration was Psalm 126:6 (KJV), "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

Answer: Scooter

Born in 1959, Barbie was an immediate hit, and Mattel started to introduce Barbie's family and friends in 1960. Not counting the Real World Celebrity friends, Barbie's friends and family include well over 100 dolls. Tiff (1972), Ginger (1975), and Courtney (1989) were all friends of Skipper, but Scooter was the first. I think Santa was trying to tell me that everybody needs friends.

Answer: his wife

Sunshowers are known by a variety of sayings worldwide, in Hawaii they are known as "pineapple juice." The origins of this particular saying about the devil are obscure, some claim roots in English, Dutch, and Hungarian, as well as the American South.

Some say the devil is angry that God created such a beautiful day. Others say that God is crying and it is a sign that something bad is about to happen. My question was always, who the heck married the devil? For interesting reading on this question, try the Wikipedia entry on sunshowers. http://www.metafilter.com/comments.mefi/9621 or http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-mon2.htm are also helpful.

Answer: Crush

Crush soft drinks come in several flavors, such as grape, apple, orange and pineapple. In 2002, the Orange Crush Interchange held the record for being the most complex interchange in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records. Crush, the father of Squirt, is a 150 year old sea turtle in "Finding Nemo."

Answer: Walter Brennan

Walter Brennan, who died in 1974 at the age of 80, won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor three times in his long career. He also put out 2 albums, "Dutchman's Gold" & "Old Rivers." While mostly remembered as a character actor in westerns, in "The Gnome-Mobile" Walter plays the dual roles of DJ the lumber tycoon, and Knobby the 943 year old gnome who is fading due to DJ's actions. "The Gnome Mobile" was Ed Wynn's last movie, and one of the last films personally produced by Walt Disney.

Answer: Joe Flacco

The Baltimore Ravens won Superbowl XLVII, and the only Baltimore player on the list is Joe Flacco, who was named the MVP. The Ravens posted a 34-31 win to take the Lombardi Trophy.

Answer: Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights are most often seen as fluorescent green curtain-like structures caused by charged particles from the solar winds. Our Aussie friends have the same effect in the south called the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights.

Answer: pie bird

Originally a ceramic funnel in the shape of a bird with outstretched beak, pie birds create the round hole found in the centre of the crust of many pies. Pie birds prevent the filling from boiling up and leaking through the crust.