We are so excited about Gary Benchley, Rock Star—the fabulous new book that builds on (and completes!) Paul Ford’s much-loved series on TMN—that, starting today, and through October, we will be giving away one free copy of the book each weekday (thank you, Plume) to the winner of the following contest:

THE GARY BENCHLEY, ROCK STAR GIVE-AWAY CONTEST

First, the following rules must apply:

—We will post a Gary Benchley trivia question each weekday morning in this space (scroll down for today’s question). The first correct response emailed to wins that day’s book. Questions will be posted between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., so keep your eyes peeled.

—When the day’s contest has been won, we will say so below. Please do not email us with your answers once the day’s contest has closed.

—You may only win once. If you win, no more tries.

—We will not notify you that you’ve lost, nor will we tell you who’s won. But if you win, we will of course let you know via the email address you’ve supplied.

—Whether you win or not, you should buy Gary Benchley, Rock Star, because a) don’t you want to know whether Gary becomes Bono? and b) it’s really good.

And so, to the questions! Free books! Free books!


* * *

September 28, 2005: What was the title of Gary’s girlfriend’s online diary? CLOSED! Correct answer: Gowanus Research Society.

September 29, 2005: What school does Gary's sister attend? CLOSED! Correct answer: CMU.

September 30, 2005: What game did Schizopolis play while they were waiting in the studio? CLOSED! Correct answer: Ping-Pong.

October 3, 2005: When drunk, and busy feasting on cream-filled pastries, what is Gary's preferred reading material? CLOSED! Correct answer: This Business of Music (ninth edition)

October 4, 2005: After a disastrous sexual encounter while he was in college, what movie did Gary watch to feel better about his masculinity? CLOSED! Correct answer: Raiders of the Lost Ark

October 5, 2005: Where did Gary's roommate David go to college? CLOSED! Correct answer: University of Michigan.

October 6, 2005: What's the name of the ship Gary's brother is stationed on? CLOSED! Correct answer: U.S.S. Ronald Reagan.

October 7, 2005: What's the studio engineer's nickname for Schizopolis's producer? CLOSED! Correct answer: Tuxedo Pants.

October 11, 2005: What were the two parts of Gary's strategy for moving to New York City? CLOSED! Correct answer: 1) Rock Out; 2) No more data entry.

October 12, 2005: No contest today.

October 13, 2005: What does Gary's roommate Charles teach? CLOSED! Correct answer: Yogic drumming.

October 14, 2005: Right before Schizopolis formed, Gary wrote an anti-war song. What are the lyrics to it? CLOSED! Correct answer: "Have you heard / From Abu Ghraib to Williamsburg, / Can you see / That all of us, we must be free."

October 17, 2005: According to Gary, which deity should one give thanks to after making out? CLOSED! Correct answer: Davidbowiemarkbolaniancurtisloureediggypop.

October 18, 2005: When trying to recruit him for Schizopolis, Gary tells Jacob that everybody in the band has a certain attitude that makes them special, that makes them perfect for the band--what is that specific attitude (list, please) for each member: Scott, Katherine, Jacob, and Gary? CLOSED! Correct answer: "homotude," "chickitude," "negritude," and "Garytude."

October 19, 2005: While in college, which gay organizations did Gary support? CLOSED! Correct answer: HOC, Q&A, and OCLesGayTransBiActCo&Sup.

October 20, 2005: What does Gary forget to bring to Schizopolis's second show? CLOSED! Correct answer: The direct box for his guitar.

October 21, 2005: No quiz today, sorry, please check back on Monday.

October 24, 2005: In Albany, what bands did Gary play in? CLOSED! Correct answer: Gobbler's Knob, The Chimps, and The School Board.

October 25, 2005: No quiz today, sorry.

October 26, 2005: Special announcement: Because of days we have missed, today's contest will have three winners, one book per person for the first three people to submit the correct answer to the following question: What is the name of Schizopolis's album? CLOSED! Correct answer: Dancing about architecture.

October 27, 2005: Gary's roommate Keith has a dog. What is the dog's name? CLOSED! Correct answer: Harris Glenn Milstead, Jr.

October 28, 2005: When Gary was in college, he had to give his father a presentation that explained his plan for life. Please provide the text from the first slide of that presentation. CLOSED! Correct answer: 1. Gary Benchley, English Major; Date of graduation: May, 2003; GPA: 3.68; Possibilities: unlimited.

October 31, 2005: Final question! What sort of jewelry does Gary fear Jad will give his mother? CLOSED! Correct answer: A pearl necklace

Thank you to everyone who sent in their guesses, and thanks to Plume for donating the books for this contest. Get your own copy now!