The greatest upset in Quiz Bowl history

The Well Oiled Machine..aka the WOM..was without question the best quiz bowl team in the area. The WOM was made up of 4 of the brightest minds at Mayfield High. Curt Cringle, Sam Worthington, Nathaniel "Nat" Frader, and Bob Castle. The WOM started their Senior quiz bowl year as the team to beat (That was no surprise, the WOM had won the last two league titles and were entering their final season together as an over-whelming favorite to 3-peat). Everything was looking good for the WOM, as expected they rolled through the regular Quiz Bowl season unscathed, and for the most part untested. The leauge title was their's for the taking, all they had to do was show-up, and the rest of the competition would just roll-over and hand them the coveted '3-peat' trophy..IT WAS A DONE DEAL..or so Bob Castle and the rest of the WOM thought.

"Heah Riggins, what do you have the WOM going off at in the league tournament" Kenny Riggins was the town 'bookie' and Bob Castle wanted to know what the line was for the WOM. "Castle I have the WOM at even money (bet a dollar win a dollar)" "What's the line for our closest competition?" Castle asked Riggins.."The scab's are going off at 10-1 (bet a dollar win 10 dollars)"..The scab's were the second team quiz bowl unit at Mayfield High..They were lead by a young up-start named Justin Krug..Krug and the rest of the scab's had served as punching bags for the WOM for most of the year. Every once in awhle they would give the WOM a run for their money, but never, and I mean NEVER, had they beaten the WOM in a head to head Quiz Bowl meet. "The scab's are the nearest competition" Castle thought to himself.."Riggins give me 5 bills on the WOM to repeat as champs" Castle stated..Riggins nodded his head and stated simply "You got it, 5 bills on the WOM to win it all." Castle was so confident that the WOM would trounce all of the competition, the thought of actually losing never entered his mind.

The scene was set, it was the finals of the leauge tournament and as expected the WOM had trounced all of their competition. By some miracle the scab's had made it to the finals.."The title and the money is as good as mine" Bob Castle thought to himself as the championship match was about to begin. Now most people think that Quiz Bowl competitions are mundane. You want to know how to get past that feeling? Wager some money on it! Castle had 5 bills riding on the WOM winning the championship and everything was looking good..All they had to do was beat the scab's one more time, and the trophy was theirs. One hitch, Sam Worthington, the ace player on the WOM was disqualified from the title match for excessive celebration in the previous match..That was gonna leave the WOM one man short, but Castle was still confident that the WOM had enough fire power to win.

It was the final question of the championship match. The score was tied and whichever team answered the last question correctly was going to be crowned leauge champions..At this point, Bob Castle was starting to get really nervous about the WOM..Not only were they going for their 3rd straight league title, but Castle had 5 bills riding on the WOM winning. If they lost he was going to be out his entire bankroll. Castle glanced across the room and noticed two things..Justin Krug, the captain of the scab's was mouthing "the WOM's going down" to him..Kenny Riggins, the town bookie was standing in the corner waiting to collect his money from Castle if the WOM lost..Everything was riding on the final question! You could hear a 'pin drop'..To this day Castle still remembers the final question..

The narrator asked "what Sesame Street character lived in a garbage can?" Without hesitation, Castle pushed the buzzer and answered "that would be Oscar".."Yes" Castle yelled out..He had the correct answer and the WOM had their '3-peat', not to mention Castle was 5 bills richer.."I'm sorry that answer is incorrect" the narrator replied.."WTF" Castle yelled..The next thing Castle knew, Justin Krug the dreaded leader of the scab's pushed the buzzer and answered "that would be Oscar the Grouch." "Correct" the moderator said.."The scab's are the new Quiz Bowl champs." Castle could not believe what had happened. He immediately asked that a protest be filed halting the outcome of the championship match..To his dismay it was denied. "Oscar was only part of the answer, the answer was specific..It was Oscar the Grouch, not Oscar." the ruling committee stated. After exhausting all of the WOM's options. Castle was forced to accept defeat, not to mention handing over 5 bills to Riggins..It turns out Justin Krug had placed a $50 dollar wager with Riggins at 10-1 on the scab's winning. "Here you go Riggins" Castle was getting ready to hand over the money he had lost..to add insult to injury, Riggins told Castle to give the money to Krug. Castle then walked over to Krug handed him the money and walked away without saying anything..As he was walking away, Krug yelled at him..Castle turned around to acknowledge...Krug than said.."Castle, i've been waiting a long time to tell you this..Thanks Scab."

The mayor of Mayfield

Saul Bean wasn't your ordinary Mayfield High student, at the tender age of 18 Saul was elected to the town council in Mayfield. Bob Castle had always noticed that Saul was a little different than most of his peers at Mayfield High. 99% of the guys at Mayfield High spent their time thinking about girls, partying, cars, etc..(all the normal things that kids think about) not Saul, he spent most of his free time preaching politics. At first, Bob Castle thought that Saul was a little bit odd, but then he started to pay attention to Saul's political views. The more Castle listened to Saul, the more he started to agree with him. Saul was still in high school when he decided to run for his first political office. Castle decided that he wanted to help Saul's campaign efforts and since he didn't have any money to make a nice contribution, he volunteered to be Saul's campaign manager. Since Saul didn't have any money either, and Castle was volunteering his time, Saul gladly excepted Castle's offer.

"Saul, who are we running against?" Castle had been brushing up on his backroom politics and figured he would try an find some dirt on Saul's opponent. "I actually have two opponents Castle" Saul stated. "Who are they? I need to get to work! I need to find out their positions on key issues, so we can start formulating a strategy for their ruination. What's their names?" Castle stated emphatically. Saul smiled and stated "The first one is unopposed & the second one is write-in." Who? Castle had never heard of unopposed and write-in. He knew everyone in Mayfield and those names were not ringing a bell. "Unopposed and write-in? I've never heard of them Saul. Are you sure they live in the Mayfield voting district?" At the time Castle was thumbing through a list of registered voters in Mayfield and couldn't find either one of them. "Something is amiss Saul, as your campaign manager it's my duty to get to the bottom of this. I'm going down to the election board right now! We need to get to the bottom of this! The rules are very clear! Only registered voters in Mayfield are allowed to run for city council!" Castle was hell-bent on getting to the bottom of this. After Castle was done ranting he looked at Saul and asked him what his plan was. Saul then told Castle "Castle why don't you leave the politics to me. Here, take these flyers and go hand them out, and for god's sake don't say anything to anybody!" Castle thought that Saul was being a little cavalier about things, but he was the boss so he did what Saul told him to do.

Election day came and went, Saul ended up carrying over 90% of the vote. During his victory speech he thanked all his supporters, and his campaign staff. Castle was the only member of Saul's staff, so he patted himself on the back a few times. Castle felt that he had played a pivotal role in the young Mr. Bean's first political triumph. "Saul you killed Mr. Unopposed & Mr. Write-In..Look! They didn't even have the courage to show-up and congratulate you on your victory." Castle had thought that very odd, but what the hell he was new to the politcal game and figured they were just lousy canidates. "Saul, I gotta admit. I see big things in our future, one of these days you are going to be governor and I want to be your right hand man." Castle was sure that Saul would be all for that idea, to his dismay:> Saul looked at Castle and told him these words "Castle I appreciate your effort, but YOUR FIRED.."

The Confucius sayings of Mayfield

Bob Castle could tell early on that keeping a girl like Lila Barlona happy was going to be a very daunting task. Lila was a solid 10 and Castle was a 5 at the best. When Castle & Lila first started dating, everyone thought that  Lila had lost her mind. Lila was the most beautiful girl in Mayfield and she had a number of 'would be' suitors waiting to steal her away from Castle. Castle was well aware of this fact & did everything humanly possible to avoid this fate..Unfortunately, in the end, losing Lila was the only thing that was a 'given' for Castle.

"What do you mean? Your dumping me for Ricardo" Castle had finally gotten the news that he had been anticipating for quite some time. Lila was breaking-up with him, she had found a new boyfriend. "Why? All I ever did was try an make you happy..What's Ricardo got that I don't?" To this day, Castle wishes he would have never asked Lila that question. "For starters, he is smart, well-schooled, well-traveled, extremely handsome, rich, polite, sincere, thoughtful, kind, shall I go on? Basically Ricardo is everything that you aren't." Lila stated profoundly. "He won't love you like I do" Castle stated emphatically. Castle had been sensing this moment for quite some time and was having a hard time dealing with it.

"You act like I am a piece of your property, not to mention your broke. Honey you can't afford a girl like me. Don't take this the wrong way, I still care about you, but us being together is over!" Lila stated firmly. Castle had not been this verbally 'thrashed' in a long-time, but he deserved it. Lila was way out of his league and everyone knew it. "Please give me another chance! I promise I will change." Castle was now on his hands and knees begging Lila to reconsider her decision of dumping him.."You are so pathetic! It's over! Now get the hell out of here. Ricardo is coming over and I am making him dinner. Now leave and take your stupid dog with you." Castle had given Lila a miniature dachshund for Valentine's Day. It turned out that Lila was a cat person, but Castle was to self-centered to realize that.

That night Castle called his buddy Shorty Sanders to tell him what had happened.."Shorty, Lila dumped me. Where are you at?" Castle could hear girls giggling & Motley Crue music in the background. "I'm at the 'house of ill repute'..Why don't you come on down? It will make you feel better, don't worry about Lila, I can fix you up with one of my girls." Shorty Sanders was the 'stripper king' of Mayfield and he was at 'The House'. The House, was a strip joint/good-time girl/betting parlor kind of place located on the out-skirts of Mayfield. Shorty called the place home. Castle had been avoiding these kind of places ever since he hooked-up with Lila.."What the hell" Castle thought to himself.."Save me a spot! I will down their in 30 minutes." Castle was plenty upset about his break-up with Lila, but he was starting to get a tinging feeling that everything would be OK..

Confucius say:

"Man in doghouse soon find cathouse".

The Warren Buffett of Mayfield High

"I don't give a f@#@ what anyone says Collective Buying Power is not a freaking fad" Bob Castle was reading the latest addition of The Bloomberg News. He was paying particular notice to the article about Groupon & Goldman Sachs. Apparently, the CEO of Goldman Sachs was in Chicago pitching the idea of an IPO (Initial Public Offering) to Groupon. Why would Castle think this is big news? What is Collective Buying Power?

Bob Castle's alter ego Rob Astle:> has been paying a lot of attention to Groupon & the CBP process.

A brief synopsis of Groupon & the Collective Buying Power Process.

Groupon was created in November 2008. It started out as a 'call to action' site called the Point.com. These kind of sites were designed to bring attention to certain civic duties that were being neglected. EX: If there was graffiti on a public wall and it needed to be painted..A website like The Point would enable many people to call for the graffiti to be painted. Thus enabling a (VOLUME) approach to a civic duty by the government. Basically, there are 'power in numbers'. The Point was having such good luck with this strategy, a decision was made to apply the process to businesses in their local market (Chicago).

The timing for Groupon could not have been better (November 2008). The recession was just starting, businesses were exploring new ways to promote their products & services. Groupon had everything ready to go.  The Groupon model was immensely successful in the initial target market, so they decided to open new portals, etc. etc. Groupon is now on the verge of becoming a 'behemoth' in the business world.

How do you make money using the Collective Buying Power process?

Groupon reportedly keeps up to 50% of all the revenue it generates. EX: I live in Las Vegas, one of my favorite bars in town was advertising a voucher on Groupon. They were offering a $50 voucher for $25. The deal lasted for 24 hours, and the bar sold 1320 vouchers. Do the math+++++

1320 (vouchers sold) * $25 (cost of a single voucher)= $33,000 (total revenue generated by deal)

Groupon uses an encrypted server, that means they collect all of the money up front. After the deal is complete, Groupon will keep its share (up to 50%) and distribute the remaining portion to the vendor. Do the math again++++

$33,000/2= $16,500 (Revenue entitled Groupon).

Remember! The $16,500 is just one deal, in one portal. Groupon offers a vast array of deals everyday through a number of  portals.

How would you start a Collective Buying Power site?

First & foremost..A website supporting the CBP process must be created. I have consulted with a number of quality web designers & architects. Long story short, the technology and maintenance of a CBP site is not that big of deal..Of course you have to have people who know what they are doing..HINT>>HINT..Lots of quality web people looking for work..

How much will it cost to create the site?

This is the question I get asked most often..The cost will revolve around the scenario, I have a number of different estimates..One set of professionals was quoting 40-50k plus a monthly maintenance fee. I have also  approached other 'would be' designers about a future equity stake versus a discount on up-front fees and maintenance. Creating the site will cost. How much ? It depends on the sort of people who get involved. 

Where should a CBP site start? What should be the initial target market?

Economically distressed places tend to produce economically distressed businesses. CBP is a tool that serves as an effective "recession buster" if done correctly. Living in Las Vegas, I see a mammoth amount of potential customers for the service. Remember CBP done correctly is all about (VOLUME). A number of new businesses and ideas are going to use the CBP process in the future. Calling CBP a big part of the new 'sub economy' is appropriate. I like the idea of starting a CBP site in Las Vegas. Lots of quality people are looking for a new idea, recruiting people to help with the process is very doable.

Community is the other side of this argument, if a CBP site can be directed at a strong community. The chances of it being successful will increase. EX: Everyone knows about Face Book. It was started by a 'college community' and just kept growing. Imagine a CBP site that targets a community of that nature. Students, alumni, surrounding areas. Two of the great things about a well functioning 'community? Commonality & Cooperation.

One last thing! There are 29 million small businesses in the United States (The government classifies any business with 500 employees or less as a small business). LOTS OF ROOM FOR THE CBP PROCESS..

My next post will describe some 'gorilla marketing' techniques..I am not the only guy who is thinking about this..ALL FEEDBACK IS WELCOME..The 'key word' is COLLECTIVE. Thanks Rob Astle

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The Rucker Park of Mayfield

The scene was Hoover's goal, the stakes were high. Bob Castle & Kenny Riggins were taking on Stoffo Artininelli & Garren Yoder in the finals of the Hoover Classic. The Hoover Classic was a 2-2 basketball tournament  held every summer in Mayfield, all of Mayfield's finest b-ball players converged to the Classic. Winning the Hoover Classic was a big deal in Mayfield! It meant bragging rights for the year. Bob Castle, Kenny Riggins, Garren Yoder & Stoffo Artinelli were the best of friends in Mayfield, but when it came to playing b-ball 'all the rules got thrown out the window.' Castle had a further dilemma, he had promised Lila that he would take her to Las Vegas next week for some 'fun in the sun' The problem? He was broke:< Castle was thinking that him and Riggins might have an outside chance of winning the Classic, so he decided to place a wager with the town bookie. Riggins & Castle were an 8/1 underdog to win the Classic. Castle figured his proposed trip to Las Vegas with Lila would cost 8 bills, so he decided to wager $100 on him and Riggins winning it all.

"Ball! Ball! Ball" Riggins had Stoffo posted up and was calling for the entry pass. The score in the final match was tied at 10-10. The rules of the tournament were very simple, each basket counted as 1 point, the first team to 11 points won the match. There weren't any coaches, it was a 'mano y mano' event. The Hoover Classic was Mayfield's version of Rucker Park in NYC. The only thing it was missing was the elevation:> One more thing, the goal's were all lowered to 8ft, by doing this? It was now possible for Bob Castle to dunk a basketball, Castle couldn't touch the rim of a regulation size goal. The basketball played on the courts of Hoover Park was more akin to the 'European' style..aka..It was physical!!

Castle made the entry pass into Riggins. Riggins then made a drop-step to the basket, Stoffo had the inside position on Riggins. Riggins looked back at Castle and yelled "Make a move towards the rim!" at that moment Castle shoved Yoder out of the way & made a V-line towards the rim. Riggins lofted a picture perfect pass which Castle caught & jammed through the rim. Remember the goal at Hoover Park was only 8 ft. high:> Castle & Riggins were the Hoover Park champs! Not to mention, Castle was 800 dollars richer:>

"Thank-you very much" Castle stated as he was collecting his $800 from the town bookie. Castle had a new girlfriend that looked like Salma Hayek, and she was getting very expensive, but Castle was in love, so he was 'hustling' anyway he knew how. "Riggins, one of these days I am going to be in on something big, I still believe people would love the idea of Collective Buying Power! If I can just convince the right people on how it works." Castle felt strongly that Collective Buying Power (CBP) was in the infancy stage, and if he could convince the right people to help him, Maybe? himself and others would be able to profit from it? "I will see you later Riggins, I gotta tell Lila the good news about our Las Vegas trip..She has never been to Vegas." Castle stated. Castle was so relieved that he had the money for Lila and his trip to Vegas that he didn't want to think about anything else.

The 'Reality TV' star of Mayfield

I want to pose a question to everyone reading my blog..Do you ever watch Reality television? The reason I ask? Las Vegas is turning into a hotbed for reality television. I was watching 'Pawn Stars' the other night, for those of you not familiar with 'Pawn Stars'. It's a reality television show based upon a family that runs a pawn shop in Las Vegas. It has turned out to be a very popular attraction for Las Vegas, and deservedly so. This is what I am thinking.

Create a viable product or service for distribution. I have been pressing the idea of a Collective Buying Power site for quite some time. A number of potential investor's for the idea have all been asking me the same question. How would you get traffic to the site? The obvious answers are impression spending, social media advertising, site content, etc. All these functions have to be done regardless..Reality video could be used to enhance and compliment everything else.

Organize a number of people in Las Vegas, have them go out and promote a new service or product (CBP). In the process of promoting that service or product a video documentary would be created..The plot line would revolve around the promotion of the business and the sales force promoting it. I want to ask everyone to use their imagination for a moment. This is the scenario I am picturing..

Las Vegas has a number of talented actors and models who are looking for work, a 'semi-scripted' platform would be created for them to follow. The goal would be to keep it as 'real' as possible with a few liberties for viewer enhancement. I had a potential investor ask me to give him an idea that was 'outside the box' on promoting a product or service. I don't know how much more 'outside the box' I can get? Pretend for a moment that everything is in place..Look at this scenario below

Collective Buying Power website + Reality video production promotion + models & actors + Las Vegas setting= ???..This idea might seem a little odd to the viewers of my blog. It's not the conservative approach that many of you might be accustomed too. Remember, I live in Las Vegas, so following the same 'old path' for promotion of a service or product doesn't work for me anymore. I hope everyone is getting off to a good start in 2011. If anyone has feedback.Please share it with me. Thanks Rob

The Phil Ruffin of Mayfield High

Even at a young age, Bob Castle could tell that Kenny Riggins was going to be success in life..Riggins had a 'knack' for the dollar bill, and Bob Castle noticed that right away.."Riggins can you loan me some money, I got a date with Lila tonight" Castle was asking Kenny Riggins to extend him a short term loan, Castle had just started seeing his new girlfriend Lila, and was experiencing the effects of a recessionary period..Riggins had been known to 'shark' money out to some of his friends..Kenny Riggins was not an easy man to please, that didn't really matter too Castle, he had promised Lila that he would take her to NYC for the weekend,,One problem stood in the way of that promise..Castle was broke:<

"Why would I loan you money to take your new girlfriend to NYC? You still have not paid me for the trip to Vegas! I want to know how you intend to pay me back..Remember the money I loan you is not free!" Castle still owed Riggins some money, but not that much..Castle had borrowed money from Riggins on a number of occasions and had always paid it back..Riggins was starting to get a little antsy about Castle.."Castle how are you planning on paying me back?" The recessionary climate that Bob Castle lived in had taken it's toll on him, but he was working on a couple of ideas that he deemed profitable in the future. He decided it was time to share one with Mr. Riggins.

"Riggins have you ever heard of a process called Collective Buying Power?" Castle had talked with Riggins about it a few times, but now he wanted to see if he could leverage his idea as collateral.."You have been talking about that for quite some time, I saw your post on Face Book..I am still trying to figure out how you make money..Castle had given his "spill" to a number of people, and decided that he was going to make this one very simple.

"Think about this Riggins? If we can get enough volume to a business, or group of businesses, Maybe? We could turn a tidy profit for ourselves, the trick will be in getting people too a site..I promise! I can get BUSINESSES to participate..The recession has forced a number of businesses to spend their advertising dollars differently, look at what Groupon & other sites are doing..This idea is in the infancy stage, tons of room for it..I just need an investor!" Castle stated firmly but cautiously too Riggins. Castle had given his 'pitch' about CBP to Riggins a few times, and Riggins had never said much..Riggins was scratching his head "I still don't get it, but I believe you have something, I know your broke and you have a new girlfriend that looks like Salma Hayek. Just because of that fact! I am going to loan you the money..If she knew how broke you were..She would be history." Riggins told Castle..Castle agreed wholeheartedly with Riggins..Lila was way out of Castle's league and he did not want to lose her.."When you get back from NYC, let's talk about your idea!' Riggins stated.

Castle was Sooo happy that Riggins loaned him the money and agreed too listen to his idea! He tried to hug him "Whoa..buddy I am not that kind of guy, go hug Lila." Riggins said.."Thanks Riggins I gotta get Lila  and head to the airport..Were going to the San Gennaro festival in Little Italy, she has never been to NYC." Castle stated.."Just remember your going to be having a good time on my money, the money is not free" Riggins than handed Castle a roll of bills.."I understand that, I have never been so confident about something in my entire life..I will talk with you when I get back from NYC," Castle stated..Castle was so relieved that he had the money for his and Lila's trip, he really didn't want to think about anything else..