Aurora's Blog

Picking up from yesterday –

I had this weird, crazy feeling that my name was about to be called, though I was trying to push that down.

But sure enough, when George Grey announced the name, I could’ve sworn he’d said mine. (Remember, sound is not to be trusted in that studio – many of the names I couldn’t even hear at all.)

Then, energetic stage guy rips the empty poster board covering off, and reveals my name.

I can’t –

There are no words here. What do I even say? How can I even describe the feeling? I was in disbelief. I was in shock. I didn’t even know what to do.

I look over at Patrick. In my mind, I’m thinking, “Do I hug you?! Do you want to be hugged? I know we’re best friends now, but I can’t tell if you’re the hugging type or not. Okay, you’re not hugging me. Forget this. No hugs for now.”

(After the show, I told him I had a “should/I should I not hug him” moment. He made some jokes about how I can regret that forever, and he would too. (But not too much, y’all. We’re okay. ;)) We also learned after the show that even though he was my new best friend, he didn’t know my last name. So, he wasn’t totally sure that when my name was called it was actually me – and it was all just happening so fast.”)

Also, I’d just like to point out that in the pre-show instructions, they ask you to do one thing, and one thing only when your name is called – and that is to stand immediately, so the camera can find you.

I already started out wrong, ’cause I felt like I was glued to my seat with just wide mouth and eyes for what felt like minutes (but I’m sure was only seconds – ’cause time weirdly somehow sped up and slowed down during the whole Price is Right experience). (And they nicely edited out any extra sitting.)

Once I finally stood up, I freaked out, and hugged Zuri on my way out of my row. Then I’m kind of looking around the audience around me, thinking, “Any of you wanna stand up and hug me? I kind of want to hug everybody, everywhere. I mean, I’m going to contestant’s row, here people! No? Nobody gonna hug me? I guess that would be weird. I’m just some stranger. And they already briefed everybody not to stand up and clap for people, ’cause then the camera wouldn’t know who was standing from excitement and who was standing because they were coming on down… Okay, okay. I’m outta here down to contestant’s row.”

(Watching the tape, I saw that I accidentally missed some guy’s high 5. So sorry, stranger.) (Also, I did get a hug from Anna who was so nicely hugging everyone.)

So, I went on down. And I really couldn’t believe I was there. It was the weirdest feeling.

Since everything looks slightly different (and a bit smaller) in the studio (and from behind the podium), I felt like I was playing some kind of version at a road show or theme park, or just generally some version that’s not really real.

This all-for-fun-only Price is Right seems so lifelike. They got Drew Carey and everything. How is that possible? Oh. Because it’s the real freaking Price is Right!(!!!)

And this is where I’ll pick up tomorrow.