when i was a child my mother had promised that if i ever got to try out for jeopardy, she would get me there.

(yes, i was/am a geek.)

when i was in high school, i was selected to do so.

so we flew off to chicago, where, of course, the tryouts were being held.

the tests were kind of like any standardized education test mixed with a game show. everyone sat in a big room, questions were asked, and we filled in forms.

after, they collected the tests, and alex trebek came in.

he spoke to all of us, took questions from the audience, and suchlike.

then the results came back.

i didn't make the first cut.

alex told me that i had missed by one.

then again, he told everyone that, as for all we know we all did. we didn't get the individual scores back.

oddly, the next time i tried out for jeopardy (college level), it was in my hometown, and he wasn't even there.

i didn't make it again, as apparently my obscure knowledge is just that, it's not even general obscure knowledge.

i'm used to it by now.