I absolutely would be remiss to not include the conclusion of my Wheel of Fortune experience, so this first entry back after a year away will be the conclusion, retrieved directly from the contestant blog archives of the WOF website.
That being said, I'm very excited to be finally engaging in this blogging revolution. I am on a really incredible journey and I'd love for you to share it with me. It really seems fitting that this entire blog starts with the WOF experience, because it really has changed my life and allowed me to start an adventure that absolutely rockin' my world! Again... feel free to strap in and enjoy the ride.
Without further ado... The conclusion of Soapsuds' April 2009 WOF experience... and the beginning of the rest of my life!
Enjoy!
Be easy,
Marcus
--------------------------
Posted on 04/06/2009
WOW! I don’t even know if I can accurately describe the experience in words! I was paired up with a smart, tall, and quite pretty former Disney Princess named Lauren and an extremely kind and incredibly funny woman named Linda. I don’t think I would have had as much fun with a different group! We were determined to have a good time, keep the game rolling, and win some big money. Once we heard the announcer, we knew it was game time and we turned it on! There was Pat and Vanna, back again in new outfits and fresh make-up. Personally melting under the stage lights, I had to get touched up between every commercial break by my make-up artist. I mentioned that she was great – let me reiterate. F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S. Did I mention I have an unnatural tendency to sweat? It’s really not pretty, but I digress. It was incredible to meet Pat and Vanna. They were just as I imagined – genuinely nice and fun people. Pat has a real talent for making people feel comfortable and getting rid of their nerves. He was constantly cracking jokes and ribbing on Vanna… he was really quite hilarious! Vanna was, of course, everything I thought she would be… extremely nice, extremely beautiful, and surprisingly, VERY TINY. But so was Pat. Now, that I think about it, I’m 6’4”, so everyone seems tiny to some extent.
Lauren won the first toss-up and the introductions began with her for the game. Then to Linda, who told us a bit about her job and family. Oh no – it was my turn! I have no idea what I said… none whatsoever! I think I mentioned my fraternity and possibly my young niece Brandi…maybe even emphasized my single status to the extent that Pat thought he was hosting “The Love Connection”! Nonetheless, it could only get better now that that was over! Time for the next Toss-Up… those buzzers remind me of my Quiz Bowl days in high school. I felt right at home! This one was mine. (Person: A CLASS ACT) $2000 banked. Sweetness! I start the next puzzle and get off and running to a good start – that is, until I bankrupt at a pivotal point in my flow! I hate to admit it, but it shook me a bit and I decided to stick to my original plan of not being greedy. Linda won that puzzle and consequently the trip she landed on to Lake Tahoe. Good for her! Time for the Prize Puzzle – I was determined to win a trip too! As soon as the spins got around to me and I had enough letters to solve it, I was going to do so. You don’t need much money in this round because the prize value can help offset your lack of money, in regards to the Bonus Round, at least. I won $900 and a trip for two to Ixtapa, Mexico! Remember when I said I was single? This would be a fun decision – who to take on a week-long trip to a South Pacific beach in Mexico?!
Another Toss-Up puzzle, another chance with the buzzer… Solid! Banked another $3000! (Food & Drink: GRANOLA BAR). We only have time for one more round it looked like. Lauren started the puzzle and the bell rang as we expected. Pat gave us the final spin, to which she got the last letters she needed to solve it. Good thing she solved it too! I edged out Linda by approximately $300 to get to the Bonus Round! I didn’t even realize it was me until I finally saw my name blinking! Omigosh. Another commercial break (and touch-up) and I was heading to spin the Bonus Wheel. No one had won the Bonus Round in the entire week of shows we had taped that day! It was a difficult puzzle with very little help from the obligatory letters OR the ones I picked. I told myself, “Just plug and chug. Talk it out.” I had no idea what it was, but the first thought I uttered was CORRECT! (Thing: SOAPSUDS) I could have fainted! It was amazing! Pat revealed my envelope: $25,000! In the words of Tyler Perry’s Madea character: “Hallelujerrr!” I promise I almost fell out. But that may have been from my sister excitedly greeting me after they let my family onto the stage. It matters not - I was ecstatic!
I would not trade this experience for anything. It was definitely the most fun I have EVER had in one day and my most productive 10 hour work day yet! :) I still wake up every now and then to make sure that I do, indeed, have paperwork, and I did when those prizes, and now I can go to grad school because I have the financial assistance that was holding me back! It was tons of fun and completely the opportunity of a lifetime.
