Way back in May of 1998 (yes, I'm dating myself--I'll be 31 at the end of this month!), I was a contestant on The Price is Right. Yeah, we're talking the old school one--with Bob Barker. Don't get too excited though, I didn't win the Showcase Showdown. In fact, it seems that my whole appearance was a little bit dissapointing to a certain someone we'll call "X," for now.
As we're waiting in line to get in the studio, my fellow BYU Writing Center employees talked strategy for when someone gets called down, and the only thing I picked up from that was to bid $1 higher than the last bid. So yes, I was that jerk. However, that strategy works - and gets you as far as the stage. But then I messed up big time (according to X)--I didn't kiss Bob Barker. Oops. What's one more set of lips on that heavily made up face?
a
Then even worse, I didn't win my game. It was Barker's Bargain Game. There was a daybed and a scooter - both were priced low, and I had to guess which one was the better deal. I guessed wrong--as most people have if they've see the rerun (X admitted that he guessed wrong, too).
a
Then there was the wheel . . . there, I spun for a grand total of 25 cents. Yep, that was a dime first, and 15 cents next. They don't give you that in your price winnings, but if I had a quarter for every time somebody asked about that or made fun of it, I would have at least $5 by now.
So, I bid $1 higher than one guy a couple times (and he never got on stage the whole game), I failed to kiss Bob, and I spun the wheel twice for a total of 25 cents. What was so great about being a contestant on The Price is Right, you ask?
I DID win these dishes!
Okay, okay, so I'll admit that they are are UGGG-LY, but if I mention that this five piece setting serves eight, and was accompanied by matching boating house canisters, a pitcher shaped as a bookshelf, a cookie jar that also belongs on the wharf, 5 serving dishes, and salt and pepper dispensers shaped as a trophy and a small sailboat, does it get any better?
It was all for the grand price of $565. My first thoughts? I can't believe somebody would pay for these. Later, I realized, nobody probably did--they were probably donated to the show because they'd been sitting on a store shelf for way to long.
I've used these dishes some . . . in college I pulled them out for big meals (we had nothing else that matched and served that many people). When I moved to Delaware, I didn't have any dishes but these, so I took them there (just the table settings--I didn't even haul it all out there), and used them all the time until I got married.
So now, after all these years, X wants to get rid of these dishes (I know, it's obvious who X is when you think about it). When I object, the next suggestion is to save one setting and trash the rest. I'm thinking no on that one too. They are kind of fun dishes, but only because of the story, I admit.
I'm thinking that someday I'll send these off with Guy to college, or something like that. Really, can you/do you blame me for wanting to keep them?
10 comments:
i remember leaving coach webb's geometry class my freshman year to go watch that shop - in (i think) dominic's (possibly eden's) math class.
i say keep the whole thing. but i am a pack-rat. especially when it comes to sentimental things.
wait, wait. who's X?
I never got to see your episode air. Is it on YouTube? I think it's just awesome that you got to be on the Price is Right -- that will always be a cool story to tell your kids. But they'll say, "Who's Bob Barker?" :)
You can't get rid of those dishes. It would just be wrong.
Supposedly X has a skydiving video. I wonder how impressive that is? :-) I'm glad you put up photos of your loot
Hah! Hah! That's a GREAT story! Your winnings are remarkable! Keep them for posterity!
Rob, she's got to keep the china. I even love telling that story, and I don't feel the least bit shameful telling it, because I can tell everybody that she actually did win something.
Oh that is a great story! I want to see that episode. That pitcher is so weird. If you do get rid of it, at least you will have documented it in the pictures.
My vote is definitely for keeping the dishes!
How fantastic that my first jaunt to your blog involves reading a story that I was a part of! :) I knew that you won dishes but had no idea the extent of the nasty---that pitcher? Seriously? As far as keeping them, for me it would be a matter of space. I don't think the dishes are awful. I'd say keep them for Guy if you have the space. The pitcher, though---I can't believe you still have it. My mom said she gave you my email address. Drop me a line if you want an invite to my blog. {dalleycats@gmail.com} BTW: we're not far from you. Playdate, perhaps?
Post a Comment