We always remember “the first time,” don’t we? You know – the first time you tried a corn dog (which for me was also the last time lol…how gross 🤮), the first time you brought your cans in for cash when pandemic restrictions lifted, or maybe even the first time you used a mobile device to look up something on the Internet?

Oh…oh…are you looking for more exciting “first time” examples from me? 😉

Like…maybe the first time you tried beer (1988 at a keg party my friend and I attended after a couple of guys picked us up at a gas station), the first time you smoked weed (1993, in college), or…the “first time” thing Madonna sang about? 🤐

Tsk, tsk…you forget that this is “mostly” a blog about my trivial pursuits! I won’t be referencing THAT incident here! 😂

So…how about a a trivia related “first time” thing?

It was 10 years ago when me and three others went to my first MTL semifinals game. Another player had a qualifying spot that they didn’t need, so they offered it to me and I happily accepted.

We wound up finishing in the top 10, so we didn’t embarrass ourselves! We also got coffee mugs (I still use them).

Recently, a local trivia host texted me and said there may be local teams needing help in semis, and could I watch my inbox and be avIlable? 

Sadly I had to decline, since my husband and I will be out of town for semis this time. Which I don’t regret…at all! We’ll be on a trip Up North. It’s a Michigan thing!

I took a look at the teams from my local bar who will be battling it out at semifinals. Five teams! 😳

I thought only two teams qualified for semis. I guess things are different now?

Interestingly, not even one of these teams is even very close to being the team with the highest score for the bar (out of the non-barhop teams). All of the teams have skipped games) one even skipped 14 games!

I guess standards are more lax now. Years ago two – and only two – teams were taken for semis at the Wurst Bar, both of which mine and the other team played every single week.

I guess some trivia teams don’t want to be bothered with semis and tournaments.

While such a thing may be difficult for a competitive trivia crackhead like myself to fathom, I think they may have their reasons for wanting to not be f—ed with tournaments:

One, maybe they don’t want to try playing with just four players. Boo on that (IMHO)! I’m lucky if I can get a MAXIMUM of four players for a tournament without having to resort to bribery, strong arming or hustling players from a bus  depot 😂

I have picked up trivia players previously in bars, bit that’s a story for another time 😜

Two, maybe they’re only casually interested in trivia. Which is baffling to me if you play every single week (or at least close to it) – and then at the end of it all, decide to forfeit your semifinal spot.

Why bother at all?

Just me?

Another reason teams may say f— it to semis is that they’ll be out of town or have committed to playing finals with trans who automatically advance to finals without having to play a semifinal.

It could be a number of reasons, really.

Last time I set out to qualify for semis in MTL was a year ago, and I took zero chances. We played every single week. Even if it was me playing solo.

For my team, MTL games are temporarily on hold until June – or until I get a Thursday off and can get out to a game!

We play Sporcle Events games every Monday and Tuesday these days . We’re focusing on finishing in the best position for Globe Games in June. We had to miss out on playing them last year because of a very poorly timed vacation (silly me)!

It’s possible I may be available to help out in finals if there is a team that needs a player. The finals location is an easy drive for me. After all, those bus depot hustlees you snagged to help you out may bail out last minute! 😆 🚌