June 18th 2020

Today I think I broke a toe because I was taking a work quiz too seriously. There was a bonus round where you had to go and locate certain items from around the house, and when a pillow was called, I booked it to my bedroom so fast that that I stubbed my toe on the living room doorframe.

When I made it back to my desk, pillow in hand, I’d already been beaten. I was taking it seriously, okay? I went into the bonus (and final) round in second place overall, and just one point behind the leader. I knew I needed to win 2 of the 5 items, and for him to win none.

Thinking back, I should have saved my energy on the ‘hairbrush’ round because I knew I didn’t have one, but I got lucky on rounds 4 and 5. With three items gone (pillow, hairbrush, wine glass) I was still a point behind the leader, so I’d need both to win.

I was out of breath, and my pinky toe is possibly broken, but when the quizmaster called ‘something from your childhood’ I thought for a split second, and then went right to my bookcase and grabbed a Harry Potter book.

I’ve spent a lot of time alphabetising and organising my book case so I knew exactly where they were. Also they’re pretty distinctive in a row of 7. I grabbed Half Blood Prince because it was the first one my hand hit, but it also happens to be my favourite one.

And so, I was tied for the lead going into the last item. I was poised on the edge of my seat waiting for the last item to be announced, but when ‘your most prized possession’ was read out, I didn’t even have to move.

Around my neck I wear a St Christopher’s pendant that my Nan gave to me before I went travelling around Europe. I haven’t taken it off since. It is unquestionably my prized possession, and it won me the quiz.

Until tomorrow, thanks, Nan, for the pendant, and for the win.

Jacn