Contestant Blogs

Craig W.

POSTED 9-29

As Pat stepped up to begin the game, I grabbed the Toss-Up buzzer and thought to myself, "I suck at Toss-Ups!" My thought was confirmed as another contestant buzzed in and solved before I could figure out the puzzle. After our introductions, and a deep breath, I heard myself saying, in "Spa Fantasy Week" fashion, the answer to the 2^nd Toss-Up. WOW, I got it!! Pat then began to describe the new part of the Wheel for the new season, "The 1/2 Car" wedge. I was still in shock from solving the 2^nd Toss-Up that I wasn't really listening and before I knew it, Pat let me know it was time for me to begin Round 1. I spun the Wheel, called out letters, and ended up solving that puzzle too!

Then, the "Prize Puzzle"...another contestant buzzed in to solve and was right, there went my vacation. Well, I can't get them all...but, on to the next!

My most exciting time during the show was the round when I got both "1/2 Car" license plates, solved the puzzle and WON A CAR!!! It was all very crazy and hard to focus after that, I just kept thinking to myself, "I just won a car?!" Before I knew it we were at the Final Spin and just calling letters. The last word of the puzzle had my attention the whole time and all I could see was "_ OM_ N'S _R_ _ T_ _ TCH." Butterscotch? Crustbatch? What is this puzzle?...Pat said, "Craig a letter please." I responded with "W"...as soon as they filled in, I solved it and was off to the Bonus Round!

The Bonus Round proved to be too much for me. A "PHRASE," regular letters revealed, my extra letters not there, and all I could think about was the envelope Pat was holding and how much "extra" money I wasn't going to win. Even though I didn't get the $30,000 bonus cash, the experience was amazing and I'm getting that pool in the backyard I've always wanted...oh, and I don't have a car payment anymore!!

Thank you so much to everyone at Wheel of Fortune for making my dreams come true!