# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/121 "2005-09-21T18:14:37Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > A marathon quilting bee to finish a gift for the company president’s grandma! > > (I could use some help finishing a quilt myself…) Me, too…and I’m only an hour south of you. I’ll help you if you help me 😃 . Dang. I want to go whale watching. I need to move to Canada. E. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/122 "2005-09-21T18:18:49Z")
> [@Elza B](#): > > Me, too…and I’m only an hour south of you. I’ll help you if you help me 😃 . > > Dang. I want to go whale watching. I need to move to Canada. > > E. or eastern long island ---
**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 22, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/123 "2005-09-22T15:40:20Z")
They managed to send out the final clue first thing this morning: > [@](#): > > Good morning everyone! > > It’s really important that you’re ready to leave at 12:30 sharp tomorrow, since we will need to be “somewhere” by 1:00. > > And without further ado, here’s the final clue: > > Latin for “the shape of a barrel or cask” > > If you haven’t already, be sure to submit your “guess” to one of us by the end of the day to be entered in the draw. Be sure it’s detailed and complete! =0) ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/124 "2005-09-22T15:43:34Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > They managed to send out the final clue first thing this morning: what kind of prize are they drawing for? and I never took latin - so i’m lost there ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2005, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/125 "2005-09-22T15:44:03Z")
Orca literally means “the shape of a barrel or cask” in Latin, likely due to the killer whale’s body shape. Cite: [http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/KillerWhale/sciclasskw.html](http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/KillerWhale/sciclasskw.html) ---
**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 22, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/126 "2005-09-22T15:46:48Z")
Thank you! I’m not yet sufficiently caffeinated to be able to think or search effectively. They haven’t told us what the prize is. Probably some leftover stuff with the company logo on it though. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/127 "2005-09-22T15:48:59Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > Thank you! I’m not yet sufficiently caffeinated to be able to think or search effectively. > > They haven’t told us what the prize is. Probably some leftover stuff with the company logo on it though. oh joy oh rapture where oh where can i get my hands on (yawn) such a valuable prize as that? :D:D:D:D:D ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2005, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/128 "2005-09-22T22:09:20Z")
Here I was thinking they were taking all of you to see The Sound of Thunder and then have several hours of group therapy afterwards. ---
**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 22, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/129 "2005-09-22T22:14:35Z")
This is interesting. HR just sent out another email: > [@](#): > > Hi all!! > > Finally, the mystery will come to an end! I will be personally distributing the plan for tomorrow’s event, tomorrow morning between 10:30 and 11:00. > > Just a reminder… dress warmly (in layers) and don’t forget that sunscreen!!! That’s all I have to say!!! So they won’t be emailing the details, there’s something that has to be handed out personally. Probably a ticket, and come to think of it, that’s a good way to deal with people who didn’t RSVP then changed their minds when they realized it was something cool. If you’re not on the list, you don’t get a ticket, end of story. ---
**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 22, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/130 "2005-09-22T22:41:42Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > oh joy oh rapture where oh where can i get my hands on (yawn) such a valuable prize as that? > > :D:D:D:D:D From my experience, coming within fifty feet of a sales rep will do it. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2005, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/131 "2005-09-23T11:55:41Z")
Have fun tonight - Here’s Hoping the weather cooperates and the seas are calm-ish You _are_ bringing you camera, right? and you _will_ post pictures, won’t ya? ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2005, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/132 "2005-09-23T12:04:57Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > Thank you! I’m not yet sufficiently caffeinated to be able to think or search effectively. > > They haven’t told us what the prize is. Probably some leftover stuff with the company logo on it though. The prize is a WHALE! Maybe Luna. You do have a pool, right? Hey, somebody on the board recently wanted to know if they could buy a dolphin, now you’re getting an Orca! What are you going to feed it? Can I come up to see it? 😃 ---
**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 23, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/133 "2005-09-23T15:50:05Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > Have fun tonight - Here’s Hoping the weather cooperates and the seas are calm-ish > You _are_ bringing you camera, right? and you _will_ post pictures, won’t ya? Oh trust me, I’ve got my camera, the batteries are fully charged and the memory card is completely empty. As long as it doesn’t get drenched, I’m good. > [@](#): > > The prize is a WHALE! Maybe Luna. You do have a pool, right? Hey, somebody on the board recently wanted to know if they could buy a dolphin, now you’re getting an Orca! What are you going to feed it? Can I come up to see it? Well, my building actually does have a pool, but they’ve also got a no-pets policy, so I don’t see that going over too well. Plus my neighbours would probably complain - all that fish, and the “fwoosh” every time he took a breath… No, I think I’ll just have to respectfully decline if I win, cool as it would be to have a pet orca. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/134 "2005-09-23T17:42:17Z")
are you ready? have you had your light lunch? did you remember sunscreen? ---
**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 23, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/135 "2005-09-23T17:59:43Z")
_nudge, nudge_ So…is it whales, Brenda, or something else completely different? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2005, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/136 "2005-09-23T18:00:21Z")
Did you bring polar bear repellent? It is Canada. ---
**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 23, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/137 "2005-09-23T18:55:18Z")
Last update before I go: They handed out the invitations promptly at 10:30. It is whale watching (with Prince of Whales, hence the royalty clue), followed by a paesano dinner at the Macaroni Grill restaurant. The winner of the prize for guessing the itinerary correctly will be announced at dinner, along with some other surprises apparently. I am ready to go: I’m sunscreened, I’ve got my sunglasses and layers of warm clothing, and as mentioned earlier, my camera’s ready to accept all the pictures I can take. **Bosda** - That doesn’t even deserve a reply 😃 More updates to come tonight. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/138 "2005-09-23T19:41:52Z")
> [@Ms Macphisto](#): > > **Bosda** - That doesn’t even deserve a reply 😃 So – that’s a “yes”? 😉 ---
**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 24, 2005, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/139 "2005-09-24T06:10:50Z")
Well, that was definitely the best company-sponsored event ever. I’ll keep this short because I’m about to fall asleep at the keyboard, but there are many photos [here](http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jools_78/album?.dir=/ff20&.view=t). [This one](http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jools_78/detail?.dir=/ff20&.dnm=3bf7.jpg&.src=ph) is my favourite. It was an absolutely gorgeous day - none of the colours in the photos have been altered in any way - and there were tons of whales because 3 pods had come together. I didn’t win the prize for guessing correctly, but it was actually something good: a $75 gift certificate to an Italian restaurant downtown. The surprise at dinner was a quiz on whales where the table that got the most answers won. My table won, so I got a $20 movie gift certificate and the satisfaction of beating a table of 5 PhDs. Oh, and it’s a really lousy picture, but if anyone’s interested, [this is me](http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jools_78/detail?.dir=/ff20&.dnm=277d.jpg&.src=ph). More to come tomorrow, including the story of how I got completely drenched despite the survival suit. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2005, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983/140 "2005-09-24T10:24:19Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > Did you bring polar bear repellent? It is Canada. You laugh, whenever hubby has occasion to talk to some phone slave in another state (like a bank) he tells them all about the polor bears at the door We can’t let our kitty’s outside in the winter because the polar bears will get them… I’m shocked at how many people believe him! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guess-the-mystery-event/319983.md?page=8)