The “better half” and I signed on for a virtual trivia game Tuesday night with a trivia host named Todd whom we remember from the “long, long ago” when we used to play “real live” trivia at a bar called Johnny’s Grill in Belleville (it was an “occasional” trivia spot). I usually played there with just one or two other players, and even occasionally by myself. It was a great place to put my trivia “mettle” to the test since there were at least a couple of good teams playing there regularly (at least for a time)!

Now for the “Pepperidge Farms” remembers moment (pandemic 2020 edition) – who else remembers playing trivia in places other than our living rooms, offices, basement game rooms, and the deck at the back of our house (we look forward to warmer games this summer when we can do THAT again)! Until things go back to some kind of “normal,” the trivia games in the basement, office and living room will have to do! The two of us wound up finishing in fifth place (I think we moved up from eighth or ninth place going into the final). My husband’s knowledge of dark, dark pieces of artwork was key for us getting the final correct. And when I say “dark,” I mean even darker than Edward Munch’s “The Scream” – and even darker than that one painting with the dude standing with the sides of beef. But I’ll get to more about that in a bit!

Special shout out to Kim and her Sparty On team for finishing first! It was kind of nice being beaten out by a group of players we know.

Here were the questions:

1. Newspapers – What is the most widely circulated daily newspaper in the city that is also home to newspapers called the Times, Politico, The Hill, and Stars and Stripes?

2. Film Settings – A record store named Championship Vinyl is one of the settings in what 2000 film? This is the movie that made me fall in love with the song “Dry the Rain” by the Beta Band.

3. Mascots – Tux the Penguin is the mascot for what computer operating system?

4. Singers – What Swedish singer known by her first name released the hit songs “Do You Know (What It Takes)” and “Show Me Love” in the U.S. in 1997? We had no idea, so we put Roxette (even though we know that singer’s first name is NOT Roxette, but it’s Marie Frederikkson). Miss.

5. Universities – Name one of the two universities that are full members of the Big 12 Conference and have blue as one of their school colors.NERD POINT: Name both.We picked two schools that would’ve been correct – had it been the correct conference! We just didn’t have the right players to help us with this, miss. Boo on me for wagering way too many points!

6. Animated TV – On “South Park,” which of the four main characters is usually depicted wearing a green ushanka, a Russian fur cap with ear flaps?

7. Foods – The names of what two other foods inspired both the name and design of the cronut, which was created in 2013 by Dominique Ansel?

8. Mountains – Mount Elbert, the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains, is located in which U.S. state? Almost overthought this, but got it for low.

9. First Ladies – Juana Manuela Gorriti, an Argentinian writer, served as the First Lady of what country in the mid-19th century? I think all teams missed this. 10. Directors – What is the first name of the woman who inherited 20% of Versace from her brother when he died in 1997?

She currently serves as the company’s artistic director.

Mystery – Initials Answer each of the following questions about people, places, or things that use the initials “G” and/or “D” in some combination.M1. What 1993 film starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell is set in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania?

M2. What actress is known for her roles as Snow White in “Once Upon a Time” and Margene in “Big Love?”

M3. What island country in the West Indies has been assigned the country code .gd for use on the internet?

M4. What DJ and producer’s Billboard top ten songs include “Without You” featuring Usher and “Titanium” featuring Sia?

Missed #4.

We were in eighth or ninth going into the final with 51 points. Sparty On was in first with 61 points.

Final Category – Paintings

The Black Paintings is a series of 14 unnamed works with intense, haunting, and bleak themes painted by what artist in the early 19th century while in his 70s?Among these works are ones usually referred to as Judith and Holofernes, Witches’ Sabbath, and one that depicts the final moment shared by one of the Roman Titans and his child.

Back in the trivia “long, long ago” I used to get really excited when my husband started writing answers on slips and handing them in without talking to the rest of the team (though whenever I tried doing the same thing, I’d get a talking to)! He didn’t have an answer slip to fill out in this case, though he did start typing the name immediately on our tablet.

After we virtually “handed in” our answer, he instructed me to use the Google machine and look up the painting “Saturn devouring his son.” Truly the stuff of nightmares! Our next trivia game will be a “team” trivia game Friday. As always, Go Pods, and stay classy, Saturn!