# Guess the mystery event **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 4, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983 "2005-09-04T03:00:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/81 "2005-09-15T17:07:18Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > On double preview, I think **Salem** is closest with OPEN SEA – but the clue has two As and one E. … and seven more characters they haven’t revealed yet… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/82 "2005-09-15T17:10:25Z")
Originally posted by Ms Macphisto: > [@](#): > > Rather than sending out invitations, telling you exactly what has been planned - we thought we’d keep you in suspense a little longer! (Sorry Sue A, we’re having too much fun!) Yeah, that’s frickin’ hysterical. Doesn’t make me hate HR people any more than I already do at all! (I would RSVP in the positive then just not go if it’s stupid - that’s what you get when you play all cutesie and don’t tell people what the event is.) ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/83 "2005-09-15T17:33:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Royalty wiil be involved Dear Og, just pray it isn’t [this](http://www.medievaltimes.com/)! ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/84 "2005-09-15T19:00:48Z")
> [@Scuba\_Ben](#): > > On double preview, I think **Salem** is closest with OPEN SEA – but the clue has two As and one E. Dangit, you’re right, of course. I was playing with the letters on paper and at one point copied them wrong. Oh wait… I’ve got it. OPEN AAS You’re all going to the dentist to get new crowns! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/85 "2005-09-15T19:11:34Z")
> [@Salem](#): > > OPEN AAS > > You’re all going to the dentist to get new crowns! Funny…that’s not how I read that one at all… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/86 "2005-09-15T19:49:27Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Funny…that’s not how I read that one at all… 😃 Me either. I’m leaning towards “paesano” – is there some Italian restaurant with a royalty theme nearby? ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/87 "2005-09-15T19:49:53Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > Originally posted by Ms Macphisto: > > Yeah, that’s frickin’ hysterical. Doesn’t make me hate HR people any more than I already do at all! (I would RSVP in the positive then just not go if it’s stupid - that’s what you get when you play all cutesie and don’t tell people what the event is.) That’s more or less my intention. I’ll RSVP that I’m going, and if it turns out to be lame, I’ll just be “sick” on Friday. **Salem** - Too bad there isn’t an extra E in there. I suspect that water will be involved somehow - we’re on an island after all. **cher3** - That could almost make sense, if they hadn’t told us to eat lunch first. There’s a bakery/deli just down the street that has a good paesano bread. ---
**Author:** ![Electrical\_Storm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac8455/32.png) [@Electrical\_Storm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electrical_Storm)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/88 "2005-09-15T22:39:48Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > Yesterday afternoon, HR sent round a company-wide email that got everyone talking. I don’t have it here to reproduce in full, but basically they told us to mark down Friday, Sept. 9 from 1-8 pm on our calendars for a fun surprise. Invitations with details will be sent out on Tuesday. > > Naturally, this got everyone wondering what on earth they could be planning, particularly given the length (7 hours) and somewhat odd time (starting half-way through the work day and running well into the evening). I figured that since Dopers are such an imaginative bunch, it could be fun to see what people think is going on. So far, my serious guess is paintball, and my non-serious guess (in response to a co-worker suggesting we were all being fired) was that it’s seven hours on a Friday, maybe they’ll get us drunk _then_ fire us all. I’m Matt Foley’s executive personal assistant and I’ve booked him for a speaking engagement through the Human Resources Department of… Oh, I’ve said too much and spoiled the surprise. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/89 "2005-09-16T19:37:17Z")
Today’s clue: > [@](#): > > Good morning and Happy Friday! > > The clue today is: > > Using your head will bring relief > > Oh, and did we mention a sense of adventure is necessary? > > Stay tuned… At this point, I’m going with either a dinner cruise or whale watching followed by a visit to a brew pub. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/90 "2005-09-16T20:23:54Z")
This is horrible of HR. I’m riveted, though. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/91 "2005-09-16T20:30:15Z")
Aw, crud. Motivational team-building exercises. I’m so sorry… ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2005, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/92 "2005-09-18T03:50:43Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > Today’s clue: > > At this point, I’m going with either a dinner cruise or whale watching followed by a visit to a brew pub. Dungeons and Dragons? ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2005, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/93 "2005-09-18T04:14:11Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > Just got an email from HR: > > If it’s the 30th, I’ve got an easy out - not only have I already booked that day off, I will be out of the country (well, Seattle, but out of the country sounds cooler). Of course, if that’s the case, given my luck it would wind up living up to the hype and being something I really, really want to participate in. > > **Bookkeeper** - given your past experience, you’d probably have appreciated one of my co-workers yesterday. Every few minutes: “Oh, I hope it isn’t something lame like bowling.” Later on, that changed to “Whatever it is, they better give us lots of booze.” I think we can pretty much all agree on that one (assuming it’s good stuff and not that swill Labatt’s passes off as beer). 😃 hey! if it’s the 30th, it means you’re all coming here to take me out for my birthday! Thankyou! ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2005, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/94 "2005-09-18T04:17:19Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > Apparently they’ve decided to torture us a bit longer. > > Based on the royalty clue, I’ve got three guesses: something at the Empress hotel, a cruise on a boat with something related to royalty in the name, or there’s a whale watching company around here called Prince of Whales. Whale watching would be cool, so that’s what I’m holding out hope for. It’s a Poker Tournament (Kings, Queens, etc) ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2005, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/95 "2005-09-18T04:22:55Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Dear Og, just pray it isn’t [this](http://www.medievaltimes.com/)! and what, pray tell, is wrong with that? Have you ever been? I go at least once a year, with a large group of friends - it’s a blast i like the OPEN SEA idea, even tho it’s not an accurate anagram; as for the light lunch, they won’t be feeding you til at least 6pm, so a light lunch before 1pm seems right ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2005, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/96 "2005-09-18T04:25:28Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > Today’s clue: > > At this point, I’m going with either a dinner cruise or whale watching followed by a visit to a brew pub. the “using your head” line has me comletely stumped but “sense of adventure” sounds delightfully intriguing ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/97 "2005-09-18T13:52:12Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > Today’s clue: > > The clue today is: > > Using your head will bring relief > At this point, I’m going with either a dinner cruise or whale watching followed by a visit to a brew pub. Yep. That’s obviously a boat reference. ---
**Author:** ![Erinaceus\_europaeus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Erinaceus\_europaeus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erinaceus_europaeus)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2005, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/98 "2005-09-18T14:01:51Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > Oh, lord, spending seven hours of my life brainstorming to generate a mission statement? Do companies seriously _do_ that to their employees? You’d be surprised. And it’s not as much fun as it sounds, either. ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2005, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/99 "2005-09-18T15:06:42Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > the “using your head” line has me comletely stumped > but “sense of adventure” sounds delightfully intriguing The bathroom on a ship is called the “head”. Royal could be related to the name of a boat (the queen something, the Princess something or the Royal Cruise something) or to Poker/Cards so it could be a gambling boat. And I still say it’s OPEN SEA and they messed up the letters. (Couldn’t be _me_ that messed them up!) I do love a good mystery and I think it’s fun that they’re doing it this way. But, of course, I don’t work there and I’m not the one who has to prepare for actually participating in the mysterious event. Have they mentioned anything about how to dress for the afternoon? ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/100 "2005-09-19T17:48:23Z")
I’m increasingly convinced that it’s HR that messed up and not you, **Salem**. Today’s clue: > [@](#): > > Good morning! > > For Friday, please ensure you wear comfortable, close-toed shoes (boy, does that sound familiar?)… > > And, the clue is: > Fundamental to Astrology > Have a great day! The answer to the clue has to be zodiac, which means we’re going whale watching. I’m really looking forward to that - it’s something I’ve been intending to do for a while, but I never quite seem to get around to it. Among other things, it’s fairly expensive, so getting to go for free is pretty sweet, even if it means I’ll be spending close to 12 hours with my co-workers on Friday. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983.md?page=6)