heelsrule1988 wrote:
Now it can be told that I didn't get called, but now it can also be told why I was still a winner that day. During the break between the sixth pricing game and the second Showcase Showdown, knowing that it was my last chance to do so, I asked Bob if I could go up and meet him. There wasn't much time left in the break, so I didn't know if he'd let me. But he did. So I run down the aisle, go up the stairs, and shake the hand of the man himself. I gave him a hug after that, and then he looked at my shirt and said, "you're a North Carolina Tar Heel, huh?" I told him that I was indeed, and then went back to my seat, knowing that right then and there, my trip had just been made complete. Once that happened, I had no regrets about not being called. Honestly, that's the only major reason I was really hoping to get called- to meet Bob. Other than that, I wasn't in a rush to get called or anything, because there will always be lots more chances with the new host. All I really wanted this time around was to meet Bob. Mission accomplished. 
Awesome! I kept wondering how you walked out feeling like a winner. And you know what? You most certainly were a winner!
I felt the same way about my seven tapings. I wanted to impress Stan - not to win a car, or $50,000 (hah) or even a refrigerator. I wanted to meet Bob. Getting into Contestant's Row, then from there to the stage was always about a means to an end - the goal of meeting Bob.
Heck, there were times I was almost even tempted to blurt out in the interview "PICK ME, STAN! I'm not going to take your prizes! I'll forfeit them! I just wanna meet Bob!"
Then, of course, that heartbreaking ending took place on May 17/25, Bob took that walk down the aisle, and I finally "won the prize" I wanted since 1979.
Had I gone to the taping on Wednesday, the pressure would've been off. I would've gone and watched, and been thrilled if I got summoned down to Contestant's Row. But the worries of "I gotta meet Bob before he retires!" were laid to rest, and that would've no longer been eating at me.
I am glad to know I'm not the only one who felt that way about trying to become a contestant. But, even better, I am glad you too got to walk out of Mecca as a winner!
The best part is in your case, it didn't involve a painful DOB.
By the way... after the taping, I hugged three of the hotties and congratulated them. As if I needed anything else to make the day better!
It's fun to shake hands with contestants. I've had my share of high-fives, one bearhug (Nicholas on the episode that aired March 1), and of course got to congratulate the two biggest winners I've seen in person (Jeanette of the Corvette Showcase, and CBS co-owner Vickyann
).
But I'm sure you particularly enjoyed hugging those Hotties.
Heh. It's almost like Stan and Co. knew that Heelsrule was in the crowd... 
It's one thing to see a show like this from here at home. It's another to actually witness it in person. Totally a Heels semi-memorial show.
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There were a few tapings where it seemed like they knew I was in the studio, because they were blasting Madge as we walked into the studio.
Never underestimate the power of Madonna to get people fired up... Especially me.
