I got it at Walmart, and for only $15! Now I can keep track of my Coryat, keep notes for the blog, and play standing up. I think it is even light enough for me to take home each time I go, when I can play a whole bunch of recorded weekend episodes. I wish I’d known this thing existed sooner. The only minor (I hope) problem is that it’s low enough that it makes my back hurt when I try to write.
Today’s contestants:
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| Balaji Narain |
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| Jennifer Dockter (yet another stay-at-home mother, and a PhD!) |
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| Gabor Vari (a psychiatrist!) |
At the beginning of the show, Mr. Trebek mentioned that the Tournament of Champions begins next week already! That was fast, but I’m sure it doesn’t feel like it to the participants. I’m so excited.
I was also excited about some of the categories today, including the very first one revealed: Car Talk. I bought a car in August, and my dad gave me some books about car care (at my request). I just read a couple of them (they’re small) last week. I got all three clues right that were revealed, but time ran out and two were left covered.
I was also sweeping Libros en Espanol when Gabor found the Daily Double there. He had 1400, Balaji had 0, and Jennifer had -600. Gabor wagered everything on this clue: “A bestselling memoir: ‘Come, Reza, Ama.'” I had the order of the words wrong at first, but I fixed it before Gabor gave his correct response. I would’ve swept the category, but I said “The Mouse on the Motorcycle” instead of “The Mouse and the Motorcycle” on this clue: “Beverly Cleary: ‘El Ratoncito de la Moto.'”
By the first break, I had clammed on one, negged on one, and gotten the rest right. Jennifer gave a fist-pump and a “whoo-hoo” that she got out of the hole on the clue before the break. She had 0, though, while Balaji had 1600 and Gabor had 5600.
What did you think of Balaji’s story about sleeping three nights in an airport terminal? That seems cruel of the airline to me. But anyway, I’d pay what I had to. Three nights in an airport? No, thanks!
I liked Gabor’s story of Hungarians thinking he was mentally challenged because of his American accent.
Now, remember how I’ve been talking about reading the books that Best Adapted Screenplay winners were based on? And the first selection was Accidental Billionaires and The Social Network? Well, how about this clue today in Million Dollar: “This co-founder of Facebook agreed to donate $100 million to Newark Public Schools.” I’m pretty sure I’d have gotten it right anyway, but I just finished the book last week!
At the end of the Jeopardy round, Balaji had 1600, Gabor had 10000, and Jennifer had 5000.
The Double Jeopardy round started well for me: World Geography! Normally this would elicit a groan from me, but I’d just been looking at a globe today and yesterday while answering geography clues in a Trivial Pursuit book. I would up clamming on 4 and only getting 1 right, but there should’ve been more (of course).
Jennifer said “Awesome!” when she found the first Daily Double, in If You Can Read This. She had 8600, Gabor had 10800, and Balaji still had 1600. Jennifer wagered 3000 on this clue: “If you can read this, you know this ancient language of the Bhagavad Gita, but may have trouble keeping up your conversation skills.” Jennifer said “All right!” when ruled correct.
Mr. Trebek gave the “less-than-a-minute-to-go” warning just before Gabor uncovered the second Daily Double, in Prime Ministers of Great Britain. He had 21200, Balaji had 6000, and Jennifer had 17200. Gabor wagered 2000 on this clue: “This early 1830s PM lives on in the name of a popular tea.” Gabor and I got it right.
Two clues were left covered again this round. Balaji ended with 6000, Gabor with 23600, and Jennifer with 17200. To complete the awesome category day, the final one was Classic Games! This was the clue: “Monopoly creator Charles Darrow’s sole quote in ‘The Yale Book of Quotations’ includes this 3-digit number.” Mr. Trebek said, “This should be a piece of cake for anyone who has played games.” But I didn’t get it right, and I’m a game-lover. Gabor and Jennifer both got it right. Balaji lost everything. Jennifer added 16000 to her score, but Gabor wagered enough with 10801. We’ll see him tomorrow!
My Coryat today was 27000. Balaji‘s was 6000. Gabor’s was 21800, and Jennifer’s was 15800.
Recent Coryats:
10-20: Jay Peterson 14400 Jessie Christensen 14800 Lloyd Caesar 12600 Me 19800
10-21: Balaji Narain 16600 Heather Anstaett 8800 Jay Peterson 17800 Me 24400
10-24: Laura Bulkin 15400 Francisco Maldonado-Ramirez 13400 Balaji Narain 8800 Me 28400