Contestant Blogs
This Week's Contestant
Tangee B.
| Theme: | Great American Cities |
|---|---|
| Hometown: | Bottineau, ND |
| Week of: | 02-28-2011 |
POSTED 3-4
So it was finally my turn to go on stage to tape the six show of the day. I had been watching and clapping since about noon when the first show started taping. My family who was with me (my cousin Leann, sister Sonja and niece Kristi from Milwaukee, and niece Heidi from Sioux Falls) had been anxiously waiting and clapping all afternoon not being able to talk to me at all and not even knowing which show I would be on. When the time came, I definitely had butterflies in my stomach.
When Pat and Vanna came out (they change costumes between each taping), I couldn't believe I was actually there ready to play! It didn't seem real. I definitely didn't do well on the Toss-Ups. Then when I did have a chance on the next puzzle, for some odd reason I called an "H," when I knew for sure there was a "W." I used to get mad and wonder when I watched Wheel why the contestant didn't call a certain letter or just solve it when I figured they should know the answer. It's way easier sitting home on the couch than being there with all the bright lights, looking at the puzzle board, the letter board next to that, and the used letter board next to that, while spinning the wheel and trying to figure out the puzzle, all at the same time! It's also a lot of pressure with Pat Sajak standing close and Vanna over by the board turning the letters and millions of people watching you on national TV.
The prize puzzle was my lucky one and I figure my Mom helped me out from up above. She was always lucky at Bingo (as my sister is) and she was so lucky at Yahtzee I named her the "Yahtzee Queen." I was having trouble solving the puzzle because of the word "brilliant" until I finally called a "T." I landed on a $2,500 wedge plus the trip to the Grand Bahamas (six days and seven nights for two) and never hit Lose a Turn or Bankrupt wedges. When Pat came over to congratulate me, he pretended like he was going to faint, so I grabbed him and pulled him up! I knew all along he was a fun-loving guy. The other puzzle I got a chance to solve was luck too, because I m sure the other contestant knew the answer but had bad luck with the mighty Wheel.
Going to the Bonus Round with a total of $33,450 already, I didn't think I would even be able to breathe! I got to practice spinning the small Wheel for the Final Puzzle and introduce my family in the audience. I was hoping to solve the puzzle mostly so they could run out on stage to me. The Final Puzzle was a "Thing" and I called, "M, D and P" for my consonants and an "O" for my vowel. I had the second word "Room" figured out and I was hoping one of those letters I called would be in the first word. No such luck! I was trying to think of a type of room. Ten seconds flies by and then the buzzer went off. If only I would've called a "G" or a "W". The answer was "Wiggle Room." When Pat opened the envelope and showed me the $100,000, I turned around backwards. Pat had to turn me back around to face the camera. He said I did a great job and to be proud of what I did win. I got to stand between Pat and Vanna while they filmed us at the end of the show so I got to meet Vanna personally. I told Pat he's been waiting all his life to meet me and he just laughed! It was such a great experience in all that I will always treasure. Dreams really do come true!