Sports teams have some weird traditions. The Detroit Red Wings have the whole “throw a dead octopus on the ice” tradition, the Boston Red Sox have that “curse” tradition, the Braves used to have the “Tomahawk Chop” (unsure if they still do that) and the Detroit Lions have a long-standing tradition of losing. We have our own traditions on our trivia team, too! Like only qualifying for “every other” MTL finals, apparently! Another tradition is to go out for a trivia game the evening after losing a semifinal in search of trivia glory. I did this earlier this year in March after my team failed in a MTL semifinal game, and did this again Saturday night at Oscar’s Sports & Grill in Saline. Unlike that game in March, I wasn’t really bitter about losing this time! I just felt like getting my trivia on, and Sporcle Live with Liz was there to oblige! Representing the ‘Pods in this game were Evan (a loaner from Sticks team Trump 2020, Make America Great Again) and I. My “regular” trivia “pardner” Mike said he was burned out from having played three trivia games this week, so I gave him the night off. Game one was a little rough, with 48 points being the top score! We managed a second place in game one, shut out of prizes in game two (darn those acting nominees questions…it’s the second time in a row we’ve blown one of those), grumble grumble! We finished in second for the night with 104 points, it was definitely the night for heavy hitting teams to fall on their faces! Now to brush off some of that pesky gravel (face plants are NEVER fun…) And the questions…
Game One
1. Colorful Terms – What two-word colorful term describes the highest emergency state of readiness? Torn between two guesses, including the right one, picked the wrong one, miss for 4.
2. David Bowie – In what ’80s film did singer David Bowie play a character named Jareth? For an extra “nerd” bonus point, who directed this film? Got for 10 plus the bonus. Photo tie-in – earlier Bowie film in which he starred alongside Catherine Deneuve. Who can spot that film?
3. Coaches – In 1999, Mike Holmgren resigned as head coach for the Green Bay Packers and became the head coach and general manager for what NFL team? Some yahoo sitting at the bar blurted out the answer, so we had this substitute question instead (too bad, because we would have gotten this one right):
3. Golf – In 2008, wo became the youngest woman to win the women’s U.S. Open? Judging from the long list of names Liz read as answers that were put down, a lot of teams missed this, including ours. We missed this for NINE. Ouch!
4. ’90s Film Characters – Timmy and Tommy Timmins were secondary characters in what 1993 sports-centered film? 8
5. Self-Titled Albums – Which of the following singers, as of 2017, has not released a self-titled album? Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande or Beyonce? Miss for 2.
6. Roll the Dice – A pair of boxcars is also known as what paired die roll? Miss for 7. When I told Mike about this he said, “How could you not know that?” LOL…
7. Spinoffs – From what Fox series, debuting in 1993, did the short-lived series “The Lone Gunmen” spin off from? 6
8. Soft Drinks – Until Diet Coke debuted in 1982, what Coca-Cola branded diet cola was the most popular? Yeah, one of my friends’ moms drank this one, got this for 5.
9. Literature – The title character Don Quixote lives in what region of Spain? Unnecessary miss for 1. Brain fart…
10. Crafting – What crafting hobby involves “x” shaped stitches on a grid? 3
Mystery – Animal Movies – Identify the movies with animals in their titles based on the following clues:
1. 1993, Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell
2. 1985, Michael J. Fox, Lori Griffin
3. 2006, Samuel L. Jackson, Juliana Marguiles
4. 1978, Robert de Niro, Christopher Walken
Got all of these (and boy did we need these points!)
Scores: Nine teams – Scores ranging from 18 to 48, with Porn Stars in first (I did not catch their whole name). We were in fourth playing under the name Everything’s Alright (the song I was listening to just before I arrived at the bar).
Final Category – State Borders
The Missouri River provides part of the border for five states.
For two of those states, it is the only river that forms part of their border. Name those two states.
I tried thinking of states that had only one “riverish” border and it paid off. Woot! We NEVER get these questions right! Unfortunately, one team ahead of us got this, too:
Final Standings: ‘Pods, 64; One is the Loneliest Number, 66.
Game Two
1. In the Courtroom – What four-letter term describes a deadlocked jury? Social, 10.
2. Office Supplies – What brand of tape claims to be the “original” maker of matte finish “invisible tape?” Whenever I hear questions like these, all I can picture is some poor question writer, who just wants to call it a day, and they gaze around at things on their desk looking for inspiration. I know all too well how painful writer’s block can be, lol! Got this for 9.
3. Skeptics – What is the two-word term for a skeptic referring to one of Jesus’ apostles? After handing in our slip, I really started to second-guess myself…which means I became one of these! Got for 8.
4. Song Lyrics – What band had a Billboard hit in 1983 with a song featuring these opening lyrics – “There’s a little black spot on the sun today?” What album was this song from, for an extra “nerd” bonus point? 7 plus the bonus.
5. Live-Action Based on Cartoons – Audio clue, had to name actor from the TV series based on the song played. This was a very, very confusing question…the wording was very strange. Miss for 1.
6. Mountains – Mount Aconcagua, the second highest peak in the world outside of Asia, is located in what South American country? 6
7. MLB Positions – In 2015, Alex Rodriguez played what defensive position for the first time in his career? Evan made right guess here for 3.
8. Architecture – What architectural home style features a gabled roof and a central chimney? FB clue, 5.
9. Schools – What student of Socrates founded “The Academy” in 387 B.C.E.? Evan again for 3.
10. Fashion Designers – In 1994, who sold his underwear line for $64 million? Step 3, profit! Was this person an “Underpants Gnome?” Got for 2.

Mystery – https://www.sporcle.com/blog/visual/state1014/
Scores – Nine teams, scores 30 to 60, with us and OITLN tied for second with 59, team Packers were in first with 60.
Final Category – Oscar Nominations
Mrs. Miller, Aibileen Clark, and Rose Maxson are the characters for which what actress has been nominated for an Academy Award?
She won for the most recent nominated role.
Nope. ??? was in second with 77, team Packers held onto their lead and were in first with 80.