In a dramatic, The Symbol-snubbing night of trivia chaos, we all enjoyed some fantastic food, delicious drinks and tantilizng trivia thrills. Although I didn't sport a tux like promised, a plethora of teams showed up and carried out a dream we've all shared and chased for weeks: beating The Symbol. And the trivia god's formerly know as "Da Corner" didn't just get ousted for first - oh no - they got spanked all the way down to 5th place. Tough to pull chicks with that kind of finish. I could go on, but I won't - we've got the winners to celebrate...Coming in first was Beer of Norm/School of Cliff. These guys were down one teammate but put up a simply shocking 28 point performance. Impressive? Yes. Unequaled? Hell no - tying BN/SC was "The Anti-Corner" - a everyone's favorite band of "Corner" haters. I thought it was going to be their week for a legitimate first place finish, but, like most weeks, they just quite couldn't get the job done. Bringing us to the sudden-death-take-no-prisoners-vomit-on-sweater-while-exploding-with-anticipation-overtime-round...it always brings out the best in one team while terminating the friendship and/or legal marriage between the losing team and their representative. Overtime began and ended. Beer of Norm nailed the question (kind of) and went home with the glory. Well done boys. And girl. Beyond The Anti-Corner, there were four other teams within 3 points of first, so it was obviously a very solid display of trivial genius. I'm sure this coming Wednesday will bring more of the same...

First: School of Norm/Beer of Cliff - 29

Second: The Anti-Corner - 28

Who Cares: The Symbol

Wednesday night trivia at the O.C. was once again home to ridiculous
antics, horrific yet magical drinks, and, of course, undeniable genius. I
was so uber-pumped for the night that I even rocked a dress shirt WITH tie.
Although the sight of me all gussied up was incredibly awkward for everyone
involved (numerous teams stood up and ran out immediately after making eye
contact with me), many braved my chic demeanor and played a very impressive
round of trivia. Let's get right to the action: First place...goes
to...anyone but...well crap they took it again - The Symbol: They hit 26
points and reclaimed their crown, ferociously punishing the competition
without consent, and went home with $25 lopped off of their seemingly
endless bar tab. Now, I've never claimed to be a wise man, sometimes not
even A man, and maybe my second "Rag" cocktail was impairing my
observational skills, but it seems people are literally booing every time
The Symbol takes home first place...? What the crap? They must be stopped.
The "Purple Cobra's" got close - they racked up an impressive 25 points -
yet even their childish, genitals-inspired team name couldn't shake the
champs. They took second, and what's worse is that 5 other teams scored
over 23 points. Depression city. Now even I'm left to wonder if anyone can
take these guys down...maybe I'll wear a tux next week?

First: The Symbol - 26

Second: Purple Cobra's - 25

Dead-by-blood/alcohol-level - Donny

The crisp, arctic air that covered the greater Apple Valley area on Wednesday night definitely kept some trivia regulars at bay; I would assume most were comfortably laying on their couch in a leopard-print snuggie, feverishly thumbing through endless pages of their most recent almanac, and studying hundreds of profiles on imdb.com. Yeah, it was a wee bit slow this past week, and yours truly was still recovering from a pesky “vertigo” sickness I was lucky enough to contract, but those who showed up took full advantage of the smaller competing field. My guys from the School of Norm were a prime example of this, as they all overachieved and placed first with 21 points - earning each member a shinny gold star by their name. “21 points was enough for first place? Seems kinda low…” you smugly remark. That is so like you. You see, this week the questions were exceptionally random, and the image round absolutely punished a few teams. Including a depleted and dejected “The Symbol.” So back off. Team Ramrod, though missing a few members (15), was right behind the first place team, finishing off with a second place total of 20 points. Although they had to accept second, they did win the coveted “most awkward conversation between host and competing team” award, which gives them monster bragging rights. Well done. It should be mentioned that 5 teams were within two points of second, and, of course, plenty of other teams fell short by an embarrassingly enormous amount. I’m sure those teams will be back next week to redeem themselves and set the record straight…I’ll be there to watch them. Will you?  

First: The School of Norm - 21

Second: Ramrod - 20

Most Annoying Illness of the Week: Vertigo - 8 Spilled Drinks

A familiar champ, some new faces and rampant gambling - just another casual Wednesday night at Ol' Chi-town. Even though John The Bartender cranked out some extra saucy new drinks, another victory for The Symbol was as sobering as a knee to the junk. What can I say? These dudes hit 25 points. They're good, and they know they're good. So does everybody else...and they hate it.

The team with my favorite name of the night, "We Pound Beers for Jesus" took precious time away from their most noble cause and nearly erased The Symbol, but their 23 point performance feel a bit short. Heartbreaking? You bet. And everyone that shows up next week can bet on seeing me around 8:55, desperately hoping that you, yes you, will come out and mercilessly neuter The Symbol. Their reign of mental terror must come to an end. Don't let me down...

First: The Symbol - 25

Second: We Pound Beers for Jesus - 23

Saucy Drink of the Night: The Pooter 

What a debacle. This Wednesday ushered in even more gambling, boozing and trivial thrills than last week, and I personally soiled myself with glee at least twice during last weeks round. Although we were missing a few of the usual suspects (Al & Co.),  we had plenty of heavy hitters and an impressive array of new trivia talent. After the new-found betting portion of the night was done, we got down to business. And business, as I just mentioned, is exactly what we ended up getting down to. And stuff. The Unluckiest Focks proved once again that luck has nothing to do with it, as they cruised through a relatively tough week of questions and finished off with a first place total of 24 points. Nice work dudes. Close behind (somehow) was team "Failed Contraceptive," a surly band of off-duty employees (read: winos) who put their heads together and pulled out a mind-blowing 22 point victory. I'm using the dramatic "mind-blowing" description accurately here - half of the players' heads on team "Cash Cab" instantaneously exploded right when Failed Contraceptive was awarded second place. It was pretty gross. But all part of the  fun down at the A.V.O.C., and will be undoubtedly be happening again this coming Wednesday!

First: The Unluckiest Focks - 24

Second: Failed Contraceptive - 22

Third: Everyone Else