I'm Addicted to BW-3 Trivia!

Confession by: Erin-Michelle Wilson ('00)
photo by: Meghan Montgomery

My body is shaking and my palms are sweating. My eyes dart across the room in scared desperation. My odd behavior can only mean one thing .... bw-3 is all out of their NTN Trivia Playmakers and I don't have one. If I don't get one soon, somebody may get hurt.

Well, I guess noone is going to get hurt but I might start to cry a little. Or maybe sing Michael Jackson's "She's Out of My Life" in homage to my Playmaker.

My fascination,— obsession, with this trivia craze is difficult to express. When I'm holding the tiny, magical, blue box in my hands, I feel complete. My fingers find pleasure gliding across the different buttons on the NTN Playmaker. All this excitement and I haven't even started to play yet!

When those three words, "Here We Go" appear on one of the many television screens, my body, mind and soul shift into trivia mode. Anyone sitting with me doesn't have a chance of getting my attention until the break. Everyone knows there's no time for conversations, or friendships even, when Erin-Michelle (game name: "EM") is playing trivia.

The game begins and all of my concentration and energy is now focused on the ultimate goal of becoming the "Game Winner." An indescribable feeling comes over me when I end the game in first place. I am no longer a regular beer-drinking, wing-eating, bw-3 customer, I am now the Trivia Master. "Eye of the Tiger" has been playing in my head throughout the whole game and all of the sudden I see: "Game Winner" with my name, "EM," underneath. My inner soundtrack changes to "What a Wonderful World." I feel total bliss.

Once you've experienced the ecstasy of being a game winner, you need to have that feeling again and again and again. This is where my love for trivia turns into addiction. Unfortunately, this addiction doesn't always lead to good experiences. I've had a few bad trips while on a trivia high.

When my name, "EM," slowly (sometimes quickly) drops from the top of the screen to the bottom (or sometimes to the second screen!) my cheerful disposition falls with it. Actually, this is when I pretend that I'm not all that interested in trivia. A rival player may approach my table with an evil look on their face and make a comment like, "Oh, EM, what happened? I can't find your name anywhere on the screen." This kind of statement is usually followed by a cruel laugh. These trivia players are vicious! So, to save face and to protect myself from trivia embarressment, I usually give a nonchalant, casual response to my nasty competitor.

For example, I may say, "Oh, yeah, I keep forgetting to pay attention. I haven't played trivia in ages." Then to show my good sportsmanship, I'll throw in at the end, "Good look, I'm rooting for you." Lie after lie.

Many people ask me what I win when I often earn the title, "Game Winner." What brings me the most joy as "Game Winner" is knowing that I was able to share my wisdom with my peers. In addition, I get to take a victory lap around the bar where I introduce myself to others as "EM, Game Winner." It is oh so sweet.