Each year on my birthday since 2016 I’ve been sharing my own trivia questions I’ve written about a variety of topics.

The first two times I did so both in person with a “MC” reading the questions and my friends answering them in a contest with prizes, and I also shared them here. Since that time it’s been an online only affair, because of events such as trivia tournaments happening the same weekend as my birthday (2018), the global pandemic (2020) and last but not least, the death in 2019 of my beloved “MC” and dear friend Archie. Hosting a live trivia event now would not be the same without him! ☹️

See how you do on these questions! Special thanks to my husband Mike for making the visual mystery round for me! The format is similar to a typical two-game question set presented by Sporcle Live. Answers posted no sooner than 24 hours from this posting.

Round One

Words – What 9-letter “e” word is used in New York’s state motto – and in addition to its meaning in the motto, can also describe fine wood shavings used as packing material?

Birds – What bird of prey has a scientific name Pandion haliaetus and shares its name with both a military aircraft with rotors on its wings that can take off and land vertically – and a professional sports team in the United States? Give one of those two names, they are two different common names for the same bird.

Pro Football – Name one of the two brothers of Amon Ra St. Brown, who is a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions.

NERD POINT: Name both brothers.

Actors – Actor Ke Huy Quan won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for the 2022 film . Name either of the characters he played in the 1985 film The Goonies – or the 1984 film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Nicknames acceptable.

Mystery Round One – British Guys Named Ian

Give the LAST names of the following people, whom are/were all British – and male – named Ian.

M1 Born 1908, author best known for the James Bond book series as well as the children’s book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

M2 Born 1945, singer best known for serving as lead singer of the rock band Deep Purple from 1969-1973 and for his portrayal of Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar’s original 1970 cast recording

M3 Born 1931, knighted actor best known for his portrayal of Bilbo Baggins in three films directed by Peter Jackson

M4 Born 1956, singer best known for founding the punk/ alternative band Joy Division

Round Two

History – The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 primarily focused he colonization and partitioning of what continent?

BuildIng Features – What six-letter word can describe a roof or ceiling, usually domed, and positioned at the top of a building?

Profane Movie Quotes – In what 2008 comedy film does a character played by Tom Cruise say, “First, take a big step back, and LITERALLY FUCK YOUR OWN FACE?”

Restaurants – What restaurant chain founded in 1968 and currently headquartered in Orlando recently upped its prices on its popular “all you can eat” promotion because it proved to be too popular to be profitable?

Mystery Round 2 – Anyone But Elmore Leonard!

From the following list of eight crime-based film and TV adaptations, choose the four that were NOT originally based on works by Elmore Leonard.

Tulsa King, Justified, Get Shorty, Longmire, Fargo, Out of Sight, Jackie Brown, LA Confidential

Final Question One – Filming Locations

Two different TV series debuted in 1990 – one in April on ABC, which ran for two seasons – and the other in July on CBS, which ran for six seasons. the first was filmed in and set in the same state, the second was also filmed in that state yet set in another. Name the US state in which both series were primarily filmed.

Round Three

Animal News – In 2023, scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute discovered four new species of what marine creature 1.5 miles under water near Costa Rica? One of the new species will be called Dorado.

Award Winners – What British singer became the most recent EGOT winner when he won an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Show for the live “Farewell From Dodger Stadium” show? He won the Emmy at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards show in January, 2024.

Upcoming Films – Actress Anya Taylor-Joy will play what title character in an upcoming film in the Mad Max film franchise? Bonus, what actress played this character in a 2015 film from the same franchise?

Weapons – The UK recently developed a “Dragonfire” weapon designed to, among other things, take out drones and missiles. What specific type of weapon is it?

Mystery Round Three – I’ll Bet Joker Thinks That Song is About Him!

Identify the original bands or artists who released the following songs that contain the word “joker” in the lyrics and or song titles given the release years, song titles and a portion of the lyrics.

NOTE – None of these lyrics shown actually include the word “joker,” though the word does appear elsewhere in the title and/ lyrics.

1981, Queen of Hearts:

Layin’ out another lie/Thinkin’ ’bout a life of crime/’Cause that’s what I’ll have to do/To keep me away from you

2021, Joker and the Queen:

How was I to know?/It’s a crazy thing/I showed you my hand/And you still let me win

1967, All Along the Watchtower:

Well, uh, outside in the cold distance/A wildcat did growl/Two riders were approaching/And the wind began to howl, hey

1973, The Joker:

Well, don’t you worry, baby, don’t worry/’Cause I’m right here, right here, right here, right here at home

Round Four

Soundtracks – On the Saturday Night Fever film soundtrack, composers Walter Murphy and David Shire each did their own “takes” on pieces originally composed by Ludwig von Beethoven in the early 1800s – and Modest Mussorgsky respectively in 1867. Give the names of either of those pieces, either the original names or the names of the tracks on the film soundtrack.

Retail News – What convenience store chain founded in 1952 with 700 locations - primarily in the eastern US and headquartered in Altoona, PA – announced that it would open its first Michigan location in Romulus in 2024?

Cabinet Members – Which former US vice president served as the 24th Ambassador to Japan under President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1996? Hint, he was from Minnesota, ya…

Actors – Actor Jason Schwartzman is a member of what prominent family of actors and directors and other contributors to film arts whom have, combined been nominated for 23 Academy Awards as of February, 2024 including nine wins – including best picture and best director, among others?

NERD POINT: What Academy Award-nominated actress is his mother?

DOUBLE THE NERD POINTS: In what 1998 film directed by Wes Anderson did he make his film debut?

Mystery Round Four – Visual –

Blurred ’80s Album Covers

Final Category - This Day in History

On February 11, 1937, what major conflict involving autoworkers at General Motors reached its resolution in Flint, MI? It is primarily known by a specific three word phrase.

I had family members involved in this!

Additional questions –

Cereal – What is the two-word female name for the newest creature in the “monster” line of cereals distributed by General Mills? Bonus, what type of monster is she?

Animated Series – What adult animated series ended its 14- season run in late 2023 with an episode titled Into the Cold?

Clothing – A “shacket” is a trending clothing item worn by both men and women typically combining the features of what other two clothing items?

Comic Book Locales – Bludhaven is a fictional city in what comic book universe? Bonus, what well known fictional comic book city is situated nearby?

Museums – New York’s American Museum of Natural History and The Field Museum of Chicago both recently took what specific artifacts off public display? Because of new federal rules, the museum staff covered the artifacts because of concerns that the items were taken without permission of their original owners?