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Yes - It's just another manic Monday.
I was a little frustrated today when I went to get my nails done - I was told the wait would be an hour! I stewed about how much studying time I was missing, but since I was in the mall I decided to look around at dresses. I got to thinking that in my zeal to study I may have overlooked an important part of the audition! Not long ago, I was bugging about what to wear to the unofficial Jeopardy! reunion in Washington. I should be worrying more - MUCH more - about what I wear to this. This is what it's all about, after all.
Today, I was at the same store where I bought a cute dress for Washington when my mom happened to call. I told her what I was doing, and she suggested I buy the same dress I returned after finding out I had to wear a red polo to the reunion. Remember how I said I dreaded telling her I'd returned it? Turns out, to my surprise, she'd read the blog, and already knew about it. Anyway I think I do want to buy that dress again. They didn't have my size at this one, so I may go to Grand Island in the near future to see if they have my size. I'm bound to find something there - They had cute dresses galore the day I was shopping for the reunion.
I feel bad that I didn't blog about Friday's episode. I had planned to blog, but I also thought I'd be visiting my friend in Grand Island, the one recovering from hip surgery, earlier in the day. In fact I thought I might even be watching the episode with her, which would've been a scream. Instead we didn't get together til dinner time, but it's okay because I stayed at her place until 2:00 a.m. answering Jeopardy! clues she read me from a book. We finished the book, and she said she didn't think I'd have another book she liked as much as that one. (I brought a bagful of trivia books.) I might see her tomorrow, so we'll see if she finds something else she likes.
Something else I wanted to throw out there about my Jeop prep (if I can coin a phrase): There is a discussion going on at the Jeopardy! message boards right about why Ken Jennings was so successful. I'm eating it all up. The boardies brought something up I'd never thought of before - stamina. Those who've been there saying competing on the show is an exhausting experience. I asked how someone could prepare for that. Someone suggested watching five episodes in a row, standing up like you would on the show. It's an intriguing idea that I might try with the weekend episodes I'm taping at my mom and dad's. What do you guys think made Ken the phenomenon he is?
At any rate, Friday's champion Monica Iyer returned today. She kicked butt on Friday's episode and today Mr. Trebek even referred to her as a barracuda.
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| Monica Iyer |
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| Matt Larson |
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| Roberta Candalino |
Unfortunately, when you live in the Midwest you sometimes have to deal with those emergency weather alerts interrupting your show. Today it happened not once but twice. I didn't miss anything except commercials the second time, but the first time I missed Monica's interview through the last three whole categories of the round, including the Daily Double. :-( I did manage to sweep Fill in the Song Title before the first break. At that time, Monica had 1800, Roberta had 400, and Matt had 4400. At the beginning of Double Jeopardy, Monica had 4200, Roberta had 2900, and Matt had 6800.
I got two triple-stumpers today in Double Jeopardy. The first was in Pass the Veggies: "For carb cutters, 'Joy of Cooking' has a recipe for this vegetable, mashed as a substitute for potatoes." Roberta guessed parsnip and Monica guessed sweet potato.
The second triple-stumper I got was in Best Supporting Actress Oscar Winners: "No driving over a cliff for her in 'The Accidental Tourist.'" Monica said Susan Sarandon and Roberta said, "Katherine..." (Notice Matt wisely allowed those two to dig a hole while he stayed right where he was, which actually created a gain for him.)
The next clue was a Daily Double, found by Roberta in Linguistics. She lamely wagered 500 of her 1700. (Monica had 4200 and Matt had 9600.) This was the clue: "It's not just a Louisiana French dialect, but any language that evolves from pidgin speech." One of two words came to my mind. I picked the right one and Roberta picked the wrong one.
Monica found the next Daily Double, in On Such a Winter's Day. She had 6200, Roberta had 8400, and Matt had 14800. Monica wagered 3000 on this clue: "On January 14, 2011, president Ben Ali fled this African country as his people protested his 23-year rule." Monica looked like she knew the answer right away and was just waiting for Mr. Trebek to finish reading the clue. At the end of the round, she had 10800, Roberta somehow had 13200, and Matt had 16000. The Final Jeopardy category was Science Terms (which coincidentally, seemed to cue the second the weather alert). This was the clue I was glad not to have missed: " This term for the lowest level of the ocean that the sun's rays can reach shares its name with a classic 1960s TV show." I have to admit I didn't even try, since my scorekeeping was messed up anyway by the interruptions. I just wanted to write the clue in the 30 seconds, which I did accomplish. Monica did not write a response, and she lost 5202. Did it annoy anyone else that Mr. Trebek noted she was not alive in the 60s, and that was part of the problem? I say, it does not matter. Roberta wrote "Sunset," and lost 13000. Matt wrote, "Deep Sea," and lost 10401. You could hear a man in the audience howl when it became clear: Matt beat Monica by one dollar. He wagered enough to beat Roberta if she had doubled. Had Monica wagered 5200 instead of 5202, she'd have won by a dollar. Must have been a mistake. So we'll see Matt tomorrow.
I don't have a complete Coryat score today because I missed those three categories. My Coryat score Friday was 23000. Monica's was 19400, Chloe Horning's was 10200, and Renee Huff's was 7800.
Happy Memorial Day to all.
Today's contestants:
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| Tom Brown |
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| Carl Aveni |
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| Chloe Horning |
Tom came into today as a two-day champion.
The day started off slow for me, as I only got this one right in Authors, the first category chosen: "While attending Lisbon Falls High School in Maine, this horror author published a newspaper, the Village Vomit."
However, I got two triple-stumpers in the next category, Musicals by Character, and wound up sweeping it. Here are the triple-stumpers: " Emile de Becque and Ensign Nellie Forbush." (Carl said The Pirates of Penzance and Chloe said HMS Pinafore. ???) And " Aunt Eller Murphy and Laurey Williams."
When Carl found the Daily Double in The Western Hemisphere, he had 3400, Tom had 400, and Chloe had 0. Carl wagered 1500 on this clue: "A monument dedicated to the men who lost their lives on the USS Maine stands in this capital's Parque del Maine." I hate to admit I probably wouldn't have gotten this right if it hadn't been for Mr. Trebek's pronunciation. He sounded just like a friend I had who came from this country. Carl got it right, too.
At the end of the round, Tom had 2000, Chloe had 4000, and Carl had 5300. But Tom started the Double Jeopardy round strong, and he led with 8600 when he found the first Daily Double in Are You Perhaps French? Chloe had 6000 and Carl had 7700. Tom wagered 2000 on this clue: "Luc Montagnier identified the AIDS virus while working at the institute named for this 19th century Frenchman." Tom and I got it right.
Tom found the next Daily Double, too, which I thought was much more difficult. The category was Bible Book Bindings. The idea is to put a word related to the Bible between two other words, and the result is kind of a before-and-after. An example from the show: "Hey ____ Law." Tom had 11600 when he found this Daily Double, Chloe had 6800 and Carl had 6900. This was the clue: "Prime _______ Racket." Tom and I couldn't come up with it, and I wouldn't have: What is a "_______ racket"?
The last clue of the round was a triple-stumper, and I got it right. In fact I swept the Greek Letters category. This was the clue: "Ancient Romans would've read this one as 11."
The scores were close going into the Final. Tom had 12800, Chloe had 10400, and Carl had 13700. The Final category was 19th Century Music. This was the clue: "Lyrics to an 1868 tune by this man began, 'Guten abend, gut nacht, mit rosen bedacht.'" I wouldn't have gotten this one, because I wasn't thinking of composers. Tom and Carl guessed the same thing, and it was wrong. Chloe was the only one to get it right, and that's why she won today. Tom lost 8001 and Carl lost 11901. Chloe added 3600, and she is the new champ.
Is it just me or have the contestants seemed less-than-strong recently? Chloe, for example, seemed to answer frequently even when she didn't seem sure that she was right.
My Coryat today was 27400. Carl's was 12800, Chloe's was 10400, and Tom's was 15200. Here are my Coryats from earlier this week:
5-24: Gay Haubner 5200 Tom Brown 10200 Matt Neville 8800 Me 17800
5-25: James Ma 16200 Amy Ruberg 12400 Tom Brown 14200 Me 26000
It feels like it's been forever since I've blogged. But let me assure you, I have been busy, related to Jeopardy! I'm not sure what makes this year different from past ones, but I have been motivated enough to study, and I mean really study for the in-person test next month, and especially a possible appearance on the show. Friends are even helping me out: a co-worker gave me a bigger and more attractive 3-ring binder to hold my study materials (more on that in a minute). Another co-worker who is recovering from hip surgery read me some clues from a Jeopardy! quiz book, and liked it! My mom has read me some trivia questions, too. I didn't realize how many books of trivia questions I had until I packed them up for when I was going to see her.
As for the binder: I got that idea from a mention by Alison Stone Roberg on the Jeopardy! message boards. I don't know exactly how she used hers, and at first I didn't really know how I'd use mine. But it's coming together now. For one thing, I've been printing and playing Jeopardy! games from j-archive.com. (I'm starting with David Madden's games.) I keep track of my Coryat scores, and I've also indicated which clues I either passed on or didn't get right. I reviewed those clues today and I intend to until I get them down. I've also put, so far, one set of Jeopardy! "Pavlovs" I got from the message boards. (You see a word in the clue and it brings to mind what may be the correct response. Example: fountain of youth = Ponce de Leon.) Finally, I've put some History Bee and Bowl questions in there. I like the set-up, and I expect it will change as time goes by.
I'm even skipping watching the French Open on TV, in favor of studying. That's a challenge and a big sacrifice for me, especially now that John McEnroe is providing commentary on the Tennis Channel. But I know it will pay off, and that's what keeps me doing that. It feels pretty good, and it's working. Case in point: Would you believe that today's episode featured a presidential nickname that I read about only a few hours before? (In this case, though, I'd already known the right response because of the other part of the clue.) The category was Crazy 8s, and this was the clue: "This 'Little Magician' was our 8th president."
Today's contestants:
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| Joseph Tambornino |
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| Matt Neville |
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| Cindy Clark |
I was happy about the spelling category in the Jeopardy round. As expected, the contestants went there last. This time, Mr. Trebek provided the word to be spelled for the contestants. Joseph almost swept the category, but he spelled "rendezvous" with an "s" on the 1000 clue.
Cindy found the Daily Double in the round immediately after getting out of the hole. (She still had 0.) The category was Classic Monopoly Tokens. Matt had 6000 and Joseph had 3200 at the time. Cindy wagered 1000 on this clue: "It's also a classic combat game from Milton Bradley." She got it right and boy did she look thrilled! She even sounded like she was laughing when she selected the next clue.
At the end of the round, Matt still had 6000, Cindy had 2000, and Joseph had 4200.
Cindy found the next Daily Double, too, in Mother Jones Said. She had 6400, Matt had 16800, and Joseph had 1800. Cindy wagered 3000 on this clue: "'On their sides the workers had only' this document; 'the other side had bayonets.'" Cindy got it right.
Joseph found the other Daily Double, the last clue of the round, in New York Public Library. He had just 1400, Matt had 19200, and Cindy had 10200. I didn't like Joseph's attitude as he wagered. He shrugged as if to say, "Eh, whatever," when he wagered 500. It was like it was an amount he randomly chose. Perhaps he was flustered because he had forgotten to phrase his response in the form of a question on the previous clue. Anyway, this was the clue, which in my opinion was too easy for the 2000 spot: "Among books that don't circulate is an 1866 volume inscribed by this British author to the little girl who inspired his work." Here are two images that went with the clue:
Joseph got it right.
The Final Jeopardy category was Medicine. This was the clue: "In 1964 a dean at Tufts' Medical School wrote a modern version of this used at many medical school graduations." I thought this was too easy, too, and sure enough all three contestants seemed to get it right comfortably. Joseph wagered 900, Cindy wagered 6000, and Matt wagered 5000. I wonder how each came up with their wagers. ? Anyway, this was Matt's third win, and we'll see him again tomorrow.
My Coryat score today was 17000. Matt's was 19200, Cindy's was 8600, and Joseph's was 3400. Here are my Coryats from the last week: 5-17: Ramesh Mantha 4800 Lisa Bloomberg 26600 Joyce Newmark 14400 Me 15400 5-18: Flora Peir 10200 Gary Rosche 3800 Lisa Bloomberg 16600 Me 19200 5-19: Beverly Jones 10800 Matt Neville 18400 Lisa Bloomberg 10600 Me 26000 5-20: Tracey Davidson 17800 Adam Kapp 12200 Matt Neville 8400 Me 16600
I've spent the day studying for the Jeopardy! audition, and I feel good. I have to keep it up even when it's inconvenient, so I don't get rusty! I was given a surge of motivation today when I got this clue right in War Stuff, just because of my recent studying. I wouldn't have known this at all even a week ago: [read by Jimmy of the Clue Crew] "Jean Lafitte changed from pirate to patriot when he and his men sailed out of these bayous in the National Historical Park named for him to aid the U.S. during this war." Probably no big deal to most, but believe me, I was thrilled. I even texted my parents, sister, and friend on the spot.
Further (possible) sign that it's working: By the time the contestants found first Daily Double today, I'd gotten every clue to that point right. (And the Teachers Tournament is over!) Before I go any further, the contestants:
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Joe McKee |
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Joyce Newmark (She's a rabbi and was wearing a skullcap! And she was at Woodstock!) |
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| Denise Troy |
( Joe came in as a 2-day champion having won 49500.) Joyce was the one to find the Daily Double, in Double E, Double O. She too was sweeping the category, but she was 200 behind Joe, while Denise had 400. Joyce said, "Why not?" and wagered it all, absolutely the right thing to do, considering it was early and she was obviously strong in the category. This was the clue: " Stringlike metal shavings used for scouring, polishing, and smoothing; no sheep necessary." She got it right. At the first break, this was the only clue I hadn't answered, because I didn't quite come up with it in time: (in In Country) " Kakata, Buchanan, Monrovia." Joe had 3000 at the first break, Denise had 1400, and Joyce had 5800.
I went on to sweep That's Expensive, including this triple-stumper: "Got $675,000? Then the Alta-Tadema, a piano made by this company founded by a 19th century German man, could be yours." I'd still only missed the "Kakata" clue when I missed this triple-stumper in Really Big Show: "The high-rated 'Cheers' finale had this character muse on the point of life: 'Comfortable shoes.'" Then I missed three in Amazing Animals.
At the end of the round, Joe had 6200, Denise had 2000, and Joyce led with 7000, even though it seemed like we hadn't heard from her in a while.
Joe found the Daily Double two clues into the Double Jeopardy round, in Architecture. He wagered 2400 of his 6600 on this clue: " This Washington D.C. landmark was designed by Henry Bacon as a Greek temple with 36 Doric columns." He and I got it right.
Joyce found the next Daily Double, in British Authors. She had 14600, Joe had 13400, and Denise had 6000. Joyce wagered 4000 on this clue: "She always kept rabbits on her farm, Hill Top, so children wouldn't be disappointed if they stopped for a visit." She and I got it right. At the end of the round, she had 22200, Joe had 10200, and Denise had 14400. The Final Jeopardy category was College. This was the clue: "From the Latin for 'free,' this 2-word term for a type of college refers to the old belief of what a free man should be taught." This was an insta-get for me, and Mr. Trebek said it was easy. Joe, however, did miss it, and he lost 10000! Denise got it right and added 7801, giving a one-dollar lead before Joyce's response was revealed. I'd have wagered 1200: Denise could expect Joyce to wager 6601, which would give Joyce the win if Denise had doubled. So, since Denise couldn't win if she got it right in that situation, she should wager expecting Joyce to be wrong and lose 6601. She'd then wager just 1200. Are you with me?
At any rate, Joyce wagered a little more than she needed to: 7000. But she had the correct response, and we will see her tomorrow. I thought her performance today was strong, but then I thought Joe's first two were strong, too.
My Coryat today was 29000. Joe's was 8600, Joyce's was 19000, and Denise's was 14400.
Remember when I blogged from McDonald's a couple times because my computer was down? I was shocked to discover today, when my computer guy asked (you know where this is going), that the problem first started back on May 3rd. Well I finally got my computer back (again) late this afternoon. Everything's fine so far, but I don't feel so sure yet! I'll have to remember to copy this entry before I try to publish it - Earlier this week when I tried to publish something, Blogger would ask for my name and password, then my work was lost when it signed me back in.
Anyway, today was the last day of the two-week Teachers Tournament. Here are the finalists:
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| Lori Kissell |
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| Charles Temple |
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| Larry DeMoss |
Like most Jeopardy! tournaments, the Final was held over two days, with the totals from the two days added together to determine the winner. Yesterday, Lori ended in the lead with 26300, Larry had 7000, and Charles had 18800.
Did you guys like Mr. Trebek's pink tie today? I did:
Charles found all three Daily Doubles today. The first was in Notable Educators. He led with 3800 while Lori had 400 and Larry had 600. Charles wagered 2000 on this clue: " This high school teacher was involved in a little trial in Dayton, TN in July 1925." I knew it right away, and so did he.
I liked all of the categories in the Jeopardy round, but I was perhaps most excited about Current Music. What a bummer that two of those clues were left uncovered at the end of the round! After hearing the teachers' responses to a couple of the clues, it's no wonder they went there last. Let's just say they are out of touch, and yes I do expect them to know such things! Larry responded "Madonna" (Madonna?!) to this one: " She's the flamboyant performer heard here:"['Born This Way' plays]" (I really regret not knowing how to insert an mp3 in a blog post. If anyone knows how, please leave a comment and I will add the clip from the clue!]
To be fair, Larry seemed to know it was wrong when he said it. Charles got it right, only to respond "Radiohead" (Radiohead!?) to this one: " The British band heard here is spreading inspiration the world over:"['The Uprising' plays]"
Kind of makes you wonder what the teachers think "current" means.
Did you guys know this triple-stumper in A Little of the Bubbly?: "In the 1890s pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented this cola drink, known then as 'Brad's Drink.'" I knew it instantly. I love the stuff.
At the end of the round, Charles had 7200, Lori had 1400, and Larry had 3400. Charles had 13600 to Lori's 4600 and Larry's 4200 when he found the first Daily Double of the Double Jeopardy round in Foreign Film Titles. He wagered 2500 on this clue: "An 8-hour epic: ' Voyna I Mir.'" Both Charles and I got this one at the very last second.
On this one in Hot Enough for You, I couldn't decide between Madrid and Barcelona: "Europe's highest recorded temperature was 122 in 1881 in this Spanish city; it cooled down in time for Expo 1992." Charles finally guessed Barcelona, so like Lori, I guessed Madrid. They were both wrong! Larry didn't ring in (I wouldn't have either at that point), and Mr. Trebek said Lori and Charles had narrowed it down for him. Whatever.
Charles found the last Daily Double in Detente-tion. He had a whopping 21300, while Lori and Larry were tied at 3800. Charles wagered 2000 on this clue: "Detente tension flared when this country was invaded in 1979; you'd think that would never happen again." Charles got it right. At the end of the round, he had a tight lock on the game had this been a one-day final. He had 24500, Larry had 7000, and Lori had 4600. This was the clue in Monarchs: "In March 2011 he gave his first televised speech in 22 years on the throne, saying he hoped things would get better." It was a triple-stumper, and I got it! I have to admit the name was a bit of a guess. Larry said the right title but Jeopardy! wanted the name. He lost all of his 7000, and Lori lost all of her 4600, so they had their 7000 and 26300, respectively, from yesterday. Charles lost 125, (like $125.00), giving him a two-day total of 43175 and making him the champion. How do you guys think he'll do in the Tournament of Champions? I thought Lori was the strongest overall and would win this tournament. I think Charles should hit the books in anticipation of the tournament. (And listen to the radio!)
Today's contestants:
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| Charley Tinkham |
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| Lori Kissell |
This clue in The Periodic Table stumped all four of us. I still don't know what they mean by the part before the colon: "Don't take this the wrong way: it's the most-used and cheapest metal." (Hint: John guessed aluminum, Lori guessed nickel, Charley guessed lead, and I guessed tin.
Two clues later, Charley found the Daily Double in the same category. He had 600, Lori had -600, and John had 200. Charley wagered only 400 on this clue: "The last element in the table that occurs widely in nature, it was named for a planet discovered 8 years before." Charley got it right. At the first break, he had 1600, Lori had 600, and John had 2000.
I swept Ends with the Same 2 Vowels. I got four clues right in App-y Days, only missing this triple-stumper: "How about a round of this 8-letter app? You can select 'burst out,' 'concert,' or 'very long.'" Same story with On the Lamb: I got four of them and missed this triple-stumper: "New York's Le Cirque serves rack of lamb with eggplant and this cheese whose name means 'recooked.'"
At the end of the Jeopardy round, Charley had 3400, Lori had 1600, and John led with 8200. But by the time Lori found the first Daily Double in History and Geography, she had taken the lead with 8000, while John had 7800 and Charley had 3800. Lori wagered 1500 on this no-brainer: "An anagram of the present-day capital, this city was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868." Lori got it right.
I can't believe this was a triple-stumper, in Principals: " Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson." (I swept the category, by the way.)
You know the clues are too easy when I go 4 for 5 (at this point, not having studied it much yet) in Going for Baroque. You know, I have to feel bad for teachers. It's a shame that the Jeopardy! writers seem to not have faith that the teachers can shine on material at least as difficult if not more so than the usual stuff. It's just too bad.
Case in point: Yet another no-brainer Daily Double, in Going for Baroque. This time John found it. He had 13800, Charley had 9000, and Lori had 15500. John wagered 4200 on this clue: "Vivaldi's 'La Primavera,' 'L'Estate,' 'L'Autunno,' and 'L'Inverno' are known by this collective title." John had it right.
I swept Substitutes before the round was over. Charley had 11000, Lori had 18300, and John had 19600. The Final Jeopardy category was The National Statuary Hall Collection. This was the clue: "In 2009, Alabama replaced a statue in collection with one of her at age 7, the first child honored." (Kinda makes you wonder whose statue was replaced.) This was an insta-get for me, all three contestants got it right, too. I'd like to know what the guys were thinking on their wagers, though. Charley wagered just 3000 and John wagered 7100. Lori wagered a hefty 16200, enough to beat the guys. We will see her in the finals.
My Coryat score today was 30200. Lori's was 18000, John's was 17000, and Charley's was 11600.
My Coryats for Friday and Monday:
5-6: Judd Hess 13400 Larry DeMoss 18000 Catherine Carson 1000 Me 17600
5-9: Elisabeth Raab 5200 Dan Crosby 14200 Larry DeMoss 15600 Me 12200
So I finally got my computer back this afternoon. The good news is that I didn't lose everything like I thought (pictures, documents, etc.). The bad news is the computer is still wonky - for one thing playing ads like on the radio but I can't find the source. I've muted my computer, and it's too bad because I'd like to listen to music. Also, I'm having trouble putting pictures in this blog post, and now this won't let me publish this at all! I'll try one more time but it might have to wait until my computer's back to 100%. At least I can blog from home and also do a zillion other things I've been wanting to do.
Today was Day 4 of the Teachers Tournament. The contestants were Sally Umbach, Charles Temple, and Grafton Brown. I wondered if, like yesterday, the clues would seem too easy. It didn't take long for me to determine, they were. I was 8/9 when Sally found the first Daily Double in All "American." I was sweeping that category, in fact. This was the one I didn't answer, in U.S. Geography (read by Sarah of the Clue Crew): "The Northwest Angle belongs to the U.S., although it doesn't look that way. It's the only part of the lower 48 that extends miles north of this parallel of latitude."
Like yesterday and the day before that for that matter, the third podium was hot to start out the show. When Sally found the Daily Double, she had 2400 to Grafton's 1000 and Charles' -400. Sally, disappointingly, wagered only 500 on this clue: "In 2009 the U.S. Mint issued a quarter for this territory featuring an Ava Bowl, a whisk, and a coconut tree." Sally got it right. At the first break I had answered 13/14, Sally had 4300, Grafton had 1000, and Charles had 200. At the end of the round, Sally had 6100, Charles had 2800, and Grafton had 2600.
In the Double Jeopardy round, Charles did well in When in Rome (I only answered one right), and he had 9200 when he found the Daily Double in Eponyms. Grafton had 2200 and Sally still had 6100. Charles wagered 2400 on this clue: " To abstain from buying or doing trade with, in honor of an Irish landlord against whom such tactics were used." Charles got it right immediately, and so did I.
Charles found the next Daily Double, too, in Scientists. He had a commanding lead with 14000, while Grafton had 2200 and Sally had 4100. Charles wagered 2000 on this clue: " This Russian's work on gastrointestinal secretions in animals earned him a Nobel Prize." I had it right, and Charles got it at the last second, only to lose 2000 on this next clue in the same category: " He discovered that the observed frequency of light waves is affected by the relative motion of the source and detector."
Let's just say it didn't matter, except that it might have been embarrassing. Charles had 22800 while Grafton had 7800 and Sally had 4100. The Final Jeopardy category was World Leaders. This was the clue: "Shortly after he received the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize, his country ceased to exist." It took me a while but I came up with this one in time. Sally got it right, but the boys missed it! Charles wagered 2200. For those of you interested in wild cards, Grafton lost 2800 and Sally gained 3000. Tomorrow's the last day of the quarterfinals.
My Coryat score today was 23600. I've gotten every Final right this week! Charles' Coryat was 21200, Grafton's was 7800, and Sally's was 4600.
I'm still thinking about way I can study for the Jeopardy! test and a possible appearance on the show. Has anyone tried sporcle.com? I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to spend time there. Also, what about Jeopardy! for the Wii? And is anyone interested in joining me in posting my (Wii) Jeopardy! scores here?
*zinnia
The Teachers Tournament continues today. Today's contestants:
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| Elisabeth Raab |
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| Lori Kissell |
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| Matt Polazzo |
My desktop computer is still down, and I'm at McDonald's again. I was amused, then, by this clue in the Jeopardy round, in Billions and Billions: "In 1994, it began boasting of 'billions and billions served.'" I don't know, but I'm afraid I may have lost everything on my computer, including (and most painfully) my music. I'll probably get my computer back tomorrow, and I'll let you know.
On a happy note, I see David Madden online right now, and I can't wait to tell him I have a Jeopardy! audition, and on what I think is his birthday! And I just got a confirmation of my audition while I'm sitting here!
At the first break, I wondered if the third podium was lucky, as Elisabeth had 5600 while Matt had 2400 and Lori had 1000. Elisabeth had found the Daily Double in "Y"s Up. At the time she had 2800, while her opponents had the same amounts they'd have at the first break. Elisabeth wagered only 1000. (I'd have wagered it all.) She got this clue right: " It's right below Saudi Arabia." I have trouble believing many people would miss this, spotted the "y." With my correct response on this one, I swept this category. I also swept An Apple for Teacher, and before the round was over, Job Description.
Did you guys know this triple-stumper in The New York Times Movies?: "A.O. Scott said this film about Aron Ralston 'pins you down, shakes you up, and leaves you glad be alive.'" I balked at first over the number in the title, but I had it right.
At the end of the Jeopardy round, Lori trailed 3000, Matt had 4800, and Elisabeth had 8800. Lori picked up steam in the Double Jeopardy round, finding both Daily Doubles and getting them right. Oh, and she answered other clues right, too. LOTS of 'em. The first Daily Double was in Do Ask. She wagered 2500 of her 5400. Matt had 6000 and Elisabeth had 8800. This was the clue: "The answer to this poetic question: 'To the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.'"
The second Daily Double was in Reed-ing. By this time Lori had 16700, while Matt had 9600 and Elisabeth had 11200. Lori wagered 1500 on this clue: "In 1920, American communist and author John Reed died of typhus in this foreign capital."
Did anyone else laugh when Mr. Trebek tried to spell the response to this clue in School of Rock?: "The title teacher in this Swedish group's 'When I Kissed the Teacher' was just trying to help with geometry." He got carried away and went, "A-B-B-B-A." It makes me laugh even now.
My Coryat score today was 25400. As I was figuring my Coryat today before today's Final Jeopardy, I noticed all three of my scores this week were pretty good, and I was wondering whether the clues this week were easier. I rolled my eyes then when the Final clue was revealed: "Just 10 sentences, this speech is wrong on one point: it is long remembered." Really, Jeopardy!? What do you guys think, are the clues easier this week? Or maybe I'm just getting smarter? ;-)
Anyway, all three contestants got it right, naturally. Elisabeth, who seemed inordinately proud of her school during her interview, wagered 4000 of her 12400. Matt wagered 5001 of his 14800, putting his one dollar ahead of Lori until she added 9900 with her correct response. Lori is into the semifinals for sure, then, and the scores of the other two look pretty good. Lori's Coryat was 18600, Elisabeth's was 12400, and Matt's was 14800.
My strongest categories, besides the ones I swept that I already mentioned, were The New York Times Movies and the one in Double Jeopardy about the early 20th century. My weakest category was Sister Cities.
I'm making an exception today and publishing this entry before 9:30. I've had trouble with Blogger not publishing scheduled entries, and I don't want to take any chances today because there will be nothing I can do if it does not publish when I schedule it.
Thank God for netbooks. My computer's on the fritz, so here I am at McDonald's because I am so desperate to blog tonight! I have a limited amount of time since they close at 11, but the good news is I've successfully attached a mouse to this netbook for the first time, so this should all go faster.
But the best news of the day, week, and month: I got a Jeopardy! audition!!! Kansas City, June 13th. (Weird coincidence - I think that June 13 is David Madden's birthday, something I discovered when I was getting ready to interview him.) I just found out about the audition last night. So I'm gonna study and pray my brains out all the way to January 2013, when I will be eligible to take the test again, assuming I'm not on the show before then. I've decided, for example, to listen to talk radio in my car again instead of music. It was difficult last time and I couldn't hang on, but I'm committed. I think it will get easier with time and especially consistency, and I think it won't be as boring if I can pay attention. Also in the plan: to go to Mass every day that it's available in my town, even if I have to make a sacrifice. And on days that there's no Mass, listen to a rosary in my car. I haven't nailed down a definite plan yet otherwise. I renew my call for suggestions!
Now I want to tell you about a couple of websites. I already mentioned one of them to you in my last post: j-practice.com. The site, which tests both your trivia knowledge and especially your reaction time for the Jeopardy! buzzer, was developed by a contestant, Ben Sack, who appears on the show next month. He's added pictures to his site of his set-up at home that he hopes replicates the experience at the Jeopardy! studio. (By the way, I don't necessarily endorse this site. I'm passing it along in case you find it helpful, and I would love to know what you think if you do try it.)
Now for the other site: culturalliteracytrivia.com. Do you remember the trivia book I gave away last fall? Well the author, Steven Ferrill, is releasing an updated version of it. Also, he's going to tweet a daily trivia question. So check it all out.
Now, for as much of today's episode as I can cram in (half an hour left!). Today's contestants:
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| Caitlin Millat |
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| Charley Tinkham |
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| Viki Radden |
These people are teachers, as this is the first Teachers Tournament. The very first clue was a little eerie for me, considering my recent discovery that I got a Jeopardy! audition: In Literary Allusions: "The object of a prolonged quest is often referred to as this Christian cup of medieval legend."
I'll cut to the chase in case they try to kick me out in a few minutes: Charley was on a tear from the beginning, and at the first break he had 7400 to Caitlin's 400 and Viki's 200. Things didn't get much better for the women: Charley had a lock on the game after Double Jeopardy, and poor Viki was in the hole! Embarrassing but she handled it very well. The Final Jeopardy category was American Poets, and this was the clue (at least according to the Jeopardy! message boards, as I see I did not write down the clue and of course I'm not at home to watch it): " He wrote 'Bearing the bandages, water and sponge, Straight and swift to my wounded I go,' in The Wound-Dresser." I got it right, as did Charley and Caitlin. Caitlin's final score was 6401, probably not good enough for a wild-card spot. My Coryat score was 25000. Caitlin's was 8400, Charley's was 30000, and Viki's was -1600.
Here are some Coryats from recent episodes, including a couple of weekend reruns:
originally aired 3-5-10: Vijay Balse 15200 Todd Aiello 15800 Miriam Carson 7600 Me 38000
originally aired 3-8-10: Vijay Balse 25400 Kirby Nelson 13600 Karen Hoffman 10000 Me 21200
5-2: John Shoe 11400 Dan Crosby 18000 Kathy Casavant 11400 Me 19000
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