PART TWO
My story continued....
Well the two weeks could have easily been two years. Everyday, I would call my wife Erika on her cell phone to see if Wheel called (I would check my own cell phone for messages every five minutes - I was manic). At one point during the two weeks, I had thought they had forgotten about me. Sadness started to seep into my sub-conscious as I thought my sure feeling of getting on the show was for not. Thanksgiving 2005 came and went and still no phone call. Then on November 30th it happened - well into week #3. I was at work and my cell phone rings..... 310-XXX-XXXX, I immediately start to go into panic mode. "Oh my goodness! That has to be Wheel, I mean it is area code 310...." so I pick up the phone and NO ONE WAS THERE! I was freaking out and wondering if I should call the number back. Then about two seconds later my phone rings again, I think this was the quickest I ever picked up that darn thing. On the other end it was like a voice from heaven..."Hi, may I speak to Timothy please?" I said, "Yes, this is Timothy." The voice continued, "Hi Timothy! This is Gary calling from Wheel of Fortune." I almost pee'd my pants, I kid you not. I am at work so in a calm (well kind of sort of) way we carry on the conversation. "Timothy, the reason why I am calling is we would like to invite you to our tapings at the Broward County Convention Center - AS AN ALTERNATE." I thought for one second and remembered them saying at the audition that if you were selected as an alternate, chance are you would eventually be invited to Culver City, CA to tape a show. Without hesitation I said, "I am so there, what do I have to do?" We continued the conversation with Gary asking me what name I wanted on my name tag, telling me about studio guests, etc.
I spent the next two weeks preparing for my Wheel of Fortune adventure. Since I knew I was most likely not going to be taping that day, I told myself not to be disappointed and just enjoy the experience. I relayed that same information to my friends and family. When taping day for "Fun in the Sun" week came, I felt no pressure whatsoever. I was there to be an observer and a rooting section for the 15 other contestants. When I got there I met Carolyn Sherman who was my fellow alternate. What was funny was that we became friendly at the audition. It was like we were destined to share this experience together. Carolyn was the nicest person and I pulled for her as hard as I pulled for myself to get on the show. Carolyn did end up on the show during "World Class Spas" week and became the big winner - yay Carolyn! The rest of the contestants that day were a nice bunch as well. The rest of the contestants that day bonded as well, it was really a solid group. My day as an alternate was a long one. Carolyn and I would watch as our fellow contestants got makeup, did their hometown howdy and played the game. The day progressed and slowly the contestants dwindled until it was just Carolyn and I left in the contestant holding area. We took down each other's phone numbers and promised to keep in touch.
December would fly by and January came and I was sure I was going to get called. When January was close to ending, my hopes again started to dwindle. I know, I know it was only a month and a half since the Fort Lauderdale taping but I was so sure they would call me back right away. Then January 26th came. It was a special day, why? I didn't know yet but I had this unexplained good feeling all morning. Around 2pm my cell phone rings and once again I see the area code 310. I freak out, more so than last time - I know what this means. I picked up the phone quickly and said hello.... "Hi, is this Timothy?" I said "YES!" and she said "Hi Timothy! This is Jackie from Wheel of Fortune." Not caring about being at work anymore I SCREAMED "HI JACKIE!!!" my whole office heard me and I was shouting "It is Wheel of Fortune, Wheel of Fortune!" as I calmed down Jackie continued by saying they wanted me to come to the Sony Picture Studios in Culver City to tape an episode of Wheel. I was excited and without hesitation I said "OF COURSE!" After the conversation, I went to my supervisor and asked for the necessary days off. Then the process set in motion and my wife Erika and I began planning our trip to Wheel of Fortune. Airplane tickets - CHECK! Hotel Reservations - CHECK! Buy a new suit - CHECK! Get a haircut - CHECK! Take care of our cat Blackie - CHECK!
When the day came to fly to Los Angeles, I was on top of the world. I promised my boss as a stipulation of my leaving that I would do the company payroll from Los Angeles. So I armed myself with my laptop and we made our way across the great United States of America. The taping day was Friday, February 10th so we flew into Los Angeles on Wednesday, February 8th. Much to our surprise Internet buddies who we never met in person, Jason and his mom Julie flew in from Minnesota to meet us.
That really touched me, I had the greatest people in my corner - so regardless taping day was going to be a good day and it was. We relaxed on Wednesday. Thursday morning I did the company payroll and we drove Jason and Julie to CBS Television city so they can see an episode of The Price is Right. My wife and I did not join them for the taping. Instead, we opted for a stroll around the Farmer's Market and the Grove. We went into Nordstrom's to look for shoes and ran into Jason Alexander from Seinfeld leaving the store. That day went pretty quickly and I went to bed feeling good. D-Day was upon us and I was finally going to get my chance to spin the wheel for real.......
To be continued (sorry folks, I promise shortly! ;-) )......