The sounds of giddy children running with presents in tow amongst dozens of pictures, plaques, and memorabilia associated with North Carolina State University sets the tone for what Amedeo's Italian restaurant is all about – family.  

This was my first night as a quizmaster, and Amedeo's was a brand new Geeks Who Drink venue, so I really wanted to make a good impression.  Amedeo's is nothing if not a family restaurant.  I did extensive family friendly training leading up the my debut, and once I saw kids running around eating cake, I knew watching 10 consecutive hours of The Cosby Show and forcing myself to watch the ABC Family network was worth it - or so I thought.  You see, Amedeo's has this thing about the sports bar area.  Apparently it's the boom-boom room of the restaurant, a safe haven for adults to be adults.  The manager told me to lose the family friendly shtick, turn up the Wu Tang, and break out the pictures of Care Bears having sex to get the party started.  This was quite surprising to me since I figured Amedeo's catered to families, especially since I had to dodge children darting past my knees at high speeds out of nowhere in the maze of a dining room, but when in Rome…  I put down my pudding, turned up the Wu Tang, and that's when the fun started.  

The quiz came down to a grudge match between seasoned vets WALKING FOR TACOS, who I've seen several times at Natty Greene's, my quizmaster sensei Hoffstradamus' stomping grounds, and the Amedeo's home team WHAT! WHAT! comprised of Amedeo's regulars and the manager.  Here's where I'm obligated to mention that the name WHAT! WHAT! should always be followed by the phrase "in the butt."  See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKE3dIrRIbg

SHOTS FROM MY MIND

• If you see WALKING FOR TACOS at your pub quiz.  Be afraid, be very very afraid.  
• "That One Guy" is still the most popular answer in the history of Geeks Who Drink; unfortunately it's still the wrong answer.
• It’s time to add New Jersey governor Chris Christie to the list of easily recognizable politicians, but be sure to call him by his pub quiz name: "That Fat Republican!"  
• Free alcohol is a great motivator.  WHAT! WHAT! lagged behind WALKING FOR TACOS until I mentioned free beer.  I actually said free beer to the bonus question winner, but they took that to mean they get free beer if they win.  Whatever works. 
• The Panthers sucked sweaty balls against the Giants, and the bar patron from New York didn’t miss an opportunity to remind everyone of this, or to live up to the stereotype that New Yorkers are loud assholes who have inflated senses of self-worth. 
• The beard is working for Hoffstradamus.  He chaperoned me since it was my first time in the game, and he actually got hit on by a real live woman!  See Hoff, I told you NOT looking like a 12-year-old boy who got lost in the mall is the trick to picking up women!     

Alright Amedeo's, I'll be right back up in yo face every Thursday at 8 p.m., and as per your request, I'll be sure to ignore the children, birthday cake, and moms in mom jeans and bring plenty of raunchiness.

 
And I'm out this funky thang,

Gran W.I.Z.