I’m reading through the RSS feeds and come across Sterling talking about how once upon a time he tried out for the game show Jeopardy.

The test was comprised of 50 answers on 50 different topics. As each answer was flashed on the screen, you were given about 8 seconds to write (yes, with a pen, for crying out loud) the question. 70% correct required to advance to the next level. That was the toughest test I’d taken since even before college (Mr. Terry’s high school U.S. History exams were the hardest. For example, one question on an eight-page test was “Explain in detail the eleven causes of the War Between the States”).

Not to spoil the suspense you can read his post and see whether or not he was accepted, but his post got me thinking about my experience with game shows to date.

I like to watch them from time to time, although since we are without TV by choice I’m unable to do so at the moment. That makes me wonder if there are any game shows which stream to the web? Are there?

It amazes me how smart some people are out there. I’m definitely more street smart than book smart. I barely graduated, but long before graduating had two steady jobs and knew what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go in life. I’m starting to become a bit concerned for our oldest teen who doesn’t have the grades (any more, he did in the 9th grade, but high school hasn’t gone as well) and doesn’t have a job and doesn’t seem to know what he wants to do with his life. Some kind of plan is so important and teens plans these days seem to be eating, sleeping, playing and working or studying only when their parents get on their case. Planning for the future is boring since it isn’t a computer or videogame or part of an IM from an oversized friends list. I’ve seen my son talking on IM to like five people at one time and playing a game. I have trouble talking to two people while working. Maybe he has a future as an online customer service rep.

If that’s the case, he better move to India.

I digress. I might be inclined to try out for a game show like Sterling did a few years back but I probably wouldn’t make the cut unless it was an area where I had a whole lot of knowledge. Shows like Jeopardy that cover many different topics would shred my brain like soap on a grater. I might do ok on The Price is Right or Wheel of Fortune. I’m not sure after reading Sterling’s post if he was more into the idea of possibly being on the show or trying out for the show. Whatever the case, I would definitely have washed out of the tests he was given.

A number of years ago we bowled with one half of a couple where the husband made it on Wheel of Fortune and did very well. He won like $40,000 in cash and prizes. Unfortunately things didn’t go so well for him after that win with either his job or marriage. I’m not sure that Wheel contributed to the life change, but oddly the experience wasn’t positive as the guy became sort of obsessed with games and spent a little too much time in casinos. One armed bandits rarely pay out like an appearance on the Wheel.

I prefer to learn through exploration, pounding the pavement trying new things out, failing more than succeeding. That doesn’t mean I don’t like reading and learning through books too, but I have to go out and apply the knowledge in some sort of business or life way. And perhaps the most exciting part of the journey is the end of the cycle where I can share what I’ve learned. Even if it’s only in a draft post that never sees publishing, it’s the fact that I could write it down somewhere.

Life is kind of like a game show and Jeopardy forms a fascinating metaphor. You decide what you want to do, apply for the job of your dreams, and if you are lucky you get to do it for a long time and make enough money to take care of your family in the process. The unlucky ones get bounced around doing work they don’t really want to do. I can see how some folks can be bitter about the way things have turned out but I’m a strong believer that it is never too late to change things. Ok, maybe not never, but as long as you have enough time left, you can always follow your dreams.

Just need to have them to someday realize them.

Someday I’d like to try out for a game show. Probably won’t make the cut, but yeah, I’d like to try. Would street smarts get me in? On the right kind of show, I bet it would.

Did this post make you go hmm?

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