We logged our second-lowest My Trivia Live score since July 6 in Monday’s game at Powell’s Pub, with 49 measly points heading into the final. Scores were low all around, however, with the high score heading into the final belonging to the team Ham Wallets, who had 54 points going into the final. Some of those questions were quite rough! How rough were they? Read on to find out!

Round One

1. NIcknames – What six-letter word beginning with the letter “Y” affectionately describes residents of Michian’s Upper Peninsula? The trivia “jockey” George accidentally said the answer aloud on the mic. So points for all! Considering the rough seas ahead, we’ll take those five “free” points!

2. Sporting Goods – Founded by Scott and Brennan Olson in Minneapolis, what company name is synonymous with inline skates? 3

3. Companies – What company acquired Lucasfilm for $2.2 billion in 2012 ($1.8 million in stock options)? 1

Round Two

1. Texting – What two-word text message was sent as the very first text message on Dec. 3, 1992? I really, really need to read up on this epic historic event! It’s the second time we’ve missed trivia questions on this subject. FML…LOL…JK! 3

2. Dance – Internationally popular in the 1980s and early 1990s, which partner dance craze from Brazil became known as the “Forbidden Dance?” I knew this one for 5. IKR? Me, the “ballet dropout” knowing a “dance” answer! Yeah, I can’t believe it either! I’ve never done this dance (and trust me…you don’t want to see me attempt to do it), but this word somehow soaked in through ’80s pop culture osmosis or something! I probably read about it in the paper or something (such a dork)!

3. Phobias – What phobia describes a fear of public places, crowds and open areas? For an extra three bonus points, what does a person suffering from globophobia fear? When, oh when will the trivia gods ask about “coulrophobia?” It’s my favorite irrational fear! What? You don’t have a favorite irrational fear? Is that just me?  Missed this for the points and bonus, since we attempted the bonus answer and failed…for 1.

Round Three

1. Space Stations – What was the name for the first modular, low-earth orbit Russian space station used between 1986 and 2001? 5

2. Hats – The Glengarry, Tam ‘O Shanter and Balmoral are all traditional hats of what country? This “country” is not necessarily a sovereign nation. We were not given this hint, but we wish we were given this hint! We were torn between two “countries,” including the correct “country,” but picked the wrong one for 3. While we’re on the subject of hats, where’s that “dunce” cap?

3. Landmarks – What is the actual name of the sculpture nicknamed “The Bean” in Chicago’s Millennial Park? All teams missed this…we missed for 1.

Halftime – Identify the actresses who won two Golden Globe awards in one year, given the clues. The titles will be for films, unless otherwise indicated.

1. 1989, Gorillas in the Mist, Working Girl

2. 1993, Enchanted April, Stalin (TV)

3. 2007 – The Queen, Elizabeth I (TV)

4. 2009 – Revolutionary Road, The Reader

Missed #2. We put down a guess of Laura Dern, because as I said, “She was in lots of stuff in the early 1990s.” Well…she WAS! Oscar nominated for Rambling Rose, plus she was in that one David Lynch movie I never saw! I think this is a movie that John liked, maybe he can confirm!

Halftime scores: Eight teams, scores 13 to 28, with ??? in first. We were in third with 25 points.

Round Four

1. U.S. States – In what state did Samuel Colt establish his revolver factory? Newsletter clue, 6.

2. Cover Songs – What song was originally released by the band Talk Talk in 1984 and covered by No Doubt in 2003, when it hit #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts? 4 The original was much better imho…

3. Instruments – Named after American band leader John Philip Sousa, the instrument called the Sousaphone is what specific type of marching band instrument? I knew this one right away, but Mike just HAD to grill me to be sure! You’d think he’d forgotten all of my “one time at band camp” stories! And geez…a guy who played this instrument used to have a crush on me! But I still played along…I described both instruments in detail, one of which is sometimes made of fiberglass, and even described the special hats the people playing these instruments have to wear, which differ from the hats the rest of the marching band members wear. All of that was sufficient to satisfy Mr. “You Can Have the Points Slip When You Pry It Out of My Cold Dead Hand.” Yes, I’m kidding. But not really…

Round Five (you might want to stop reading here, this is going to get pretty dreadful)!

1. Coaches – Name one of the only two coaches to have won both a Super Bowl and Rose Bowl. Brad with the field goal for 4.

2. Soups – From what European country does Caldo Verde soup originate? Nope, NO SOUP FOR US! Some of you might get that ’90s pop culture reference! Miss for 6.

3. Presidential Residences – What country’s head of state lives in “The Blue House?” Apparently this was a repeat question from not too long ago, unfortunately we were not present at this game. Miss for 2.

Round Six

1. Zoos – The world’s first scientific zoo called the Regent’s Zoo was located in what city – and featured an aquarium, insect house and reptile house – among other attractions? 4

2. Planets – Within one, in what year was Pluto reclassified as a dwarf planet? Miss for 4.

3. Mythological Creatures – The Pegasus is a winged version of what animal? Easy way to finish the game..

Scores: Nine teams, scores 31 to 54, with Ham Wallets in first. We were in fourth with 49.

Final Category – Car Brands

At the end of the calendar year 2016, what car brand surpassed the Volvo as the best-selling car in Sweden for the first time in 54 years?

We did not wager, nor did we get it right. Though the correct car brand name was mentioned. The last place team (whose name I did not write down) wound up being the only team to get this, so they sailed up to first, winning the $30 prize. Go whomever they were!

Our next “trivial pursuits” this week will be our Sporcle Live game Thursday at Original Gravity, then our MTL semifinals Saturday at Bobby McShane’s in Belleville. Wish us luck as we attempt to win a coveted finals spot! We will be using a “foursome” that will include Mike and I plus Archie (who has played with us in MTL tournaments previously) and newcomer Matt. As always, Go Pods, and stay classy, the Soup Nazi!