March 28, 2005

My Jeopardy! Journey

Kevin's getting a Jeopardy! tryout. Congrats to him. Once upon a time I tried out for the college tournament. The tryout was in Milwaukee, and I was going to school in Duluth, MN. A six hour trip across the Badger State was in order. It was the first and only time I ever used that carpool board every college has. Remember, a normal person can make the trip in six hours. A long-haired hippy-looking moron packed himself, his girlfriend, another carpooler, and me into a tiny compact hatchback. Instead of taking the four-lane highway that lead to the interstate the moron took a "shortcut." I fell asleep with an uncomfortable feeling this was going to be a long trip. Next thing I know our car is pulled over on the side of the road with a policeman's flashing lights behind us. What the hippy moron did to deserve the attention I don't know. All I know is the officer had trouble comprehending the concept of carpooling. He had all of us get out of the car and show him our IDs. The officer even pulled me aside to explain to him how we all got in the same car. Finally we were sent on our way.

Traveling on two lane roads in northern Wisconsin made the trip last forever. It was two or three in the morning by the time we got to Madison where I then had to call my parents to pick me up. So for my big chance to impress the Jeopady! people I had about two hours of sleep.

Lack of sleep didn't hurt my chances. I did well enough on the paper and pencil test to get to the next round. Five others and I had our picture taken then we practiced using the buzzer. When I got my picture taken I knew my chance to get on the show dropped. Back then I was in my human hairball stage. I was a lazy bum who sported a fuzzy, out-of-control goatee and long hair, not the type who looked great on tv. That was the last I heard from anyone at Jeopardy! The game show's producers did tell us that not getting contacted for the college tournament shouldn't stop us from getting on the show. Since the number of spots for the college tournament are so limited it's easier to get on regular Jeopardy!. So, if I ever get to L.A. I'll have to remember to schedule a tryout.

"I Can Lose on Jeopardy!"