A first... and thanks for that

I began quizzing when I was in class 8^th (thanks Dhruv) and was a regular quizzer till class 11^th. Then the boards and destiny took prominence and I stopped.(Destiny, though, must be thanked for making me realize how unjust I had been in not allowing anyone else in participate in quizzes. So...thank you destiny )

I'm deeply regretful but leaving that apart, one thing that was common to every quiz that I've done till today (today is different (-: ), I've always come a close (not so close on many occasions) second. Never won a quiz till date. Yes, you got that right. None. Always second. Maybe it reflects on my abilities as a quizzer, maybe it doesn't. Never mind that.

Second...at Jack Kilby Science Quiz.

But today it was different. I won a quiz !!! More on that later. But first a small thanks...

I went to the LSR QUIZ today and didn't have a partner. Siting alone in a crowd, I was wondereing how bad I would perform. “Some one needs a partner?”. My hand goes up involuntarily. Then I see him... bald, french beard and a lanky walk. “Hi...I'm Varun” Skipping everything in between, let me get to the point. This guy is amazing. Period. We won the quiz of course. And I believe even Varun would say that my contribution wasn't zero, but then, the credit of winning the thing rests on Varun. Apart from the few tips I got from the seasoned quizzer, I learnt how a quiz is supposed to be played. “I didnt know shit when I was in first year, and then I realized that to get better, you just had to go for these things again and again.” Realizing that I'm in first year and then realizing that I didn't know shit either (I do, but compared to this behemoth, its negligible – this guy can make connects on the fly – he'll write the stuff and then I'd realize – Oh...I know this ). So, its uplifting to know that I have time and that I can (and believe me, I will) make it to this guy's league.

So, here's the thing. We won today ! A lot of money too. Maybe a small thing for him. But a first for me. Thank you Varun. Maybe it was the first and last time that we were a team. But it has changed my outlook. As you rightly said, “Enjoy the thing. Have fun, stupid!” .  

PS : And thank you Varun for helping me with my Valentine's Day budget. :-)

PPS : - I still have your pen...oooh never mind... :-)