My love's in Jeopardy

Well, not my love, per se, but my sanity for the next thirty-five days. Because that is how long I have to wait until the Jeopardy! live audition to which I received an invite today, after taking the fifty-question online qualifying test about three weeks ago.

Stay tuned for updates from my rigorous training regimen, which may or may not include such highlights as me jogging around Portland while wearing a white terrycloth headband, listening to the theme from Rocky and flipping through a stack of homemade flashcards on the illustrious careers of the American presidents. ("Chester A. Arthur, 21st president, 1881-1885! Best known for signing the Pendleton Act mandating a bipartisan civil service and for, er, his truly spectacular sideburns.")

I need five anecdotes about myself. I am seriously having trouble coming up with any that don't start "Well, this one time I was drinking with my friend...". Your suggestions are welcomed.

Also, I am instructed to "dress appropriately for television." What ought one to wear to strike that critical Jeopardy!-audience-friendly balance between "American Idol" and the six-o'-clock news with Your Weather Authority, Powder von Mascaratufts?

Comments

[COD]

Did I ever tell you about the time I tried out for Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
http://www.odonnellweb.com/?p=2563

[Mimi]

Hey, I got an invitation too, but I haven't gotten the second email followup too (maybe I signed in as Mimi and submitted my real name the second time)

Anway, Dh and I are planning on coming down on Friday, doing dinner out as our anniversary is that Sunday, and spending the night there.

[Amy Sorensen]

Hey! That's cool. Can't wait to hear how it goes!!!

[Jac]

"Appropriate for television" can be translated as "business casual" or as "casual, but like you have your shit together." For a woman, nice pants plus a beautiful shirt or sweater usually works better than a dress. A skirt that hits mid-calf or lower can also be a good option. Shorter skirts look funny on a game-show-type set.

Wear a blouse or light sweater of a color that looks great on you. No red, black, or white (don't show well on camera); no busy patterns--especially stripes or plaids--because they give cameras fits unless the wearer is perfectly still. Fabric should be loosely draped, especially around armpits, to help you stay cool. Also, anything frilly or otherwise girly will deduct LOTS from your respectability quotient.

Wear nice-looking comfortable shoes with rubber soles. This will help you feel grounded and help you keep breathing. Comfortable shoes will support your body and your attitude; rubber soles and heels will protect you from click-clacking or clomping noises as you walk across the stage floor. (Keens are great.) There's nothing quite like hearing every one of your own steps to throw off your concentration.

Carry some small talisman in a pocket and/or wear a special bit of jewelry to help channel your inspiration.

Most importantly: breathe. And keep breathing.

Can we work in a coaching session before your audition?

[Helena]

Ooh, how exciting!

[Herm]

Woo-hoooooooooooooooooo!

[dcjoe]

I don't understand why Trebek's people haven't emailed me yet about my live audition. Maybe I need to turn off my spam filter.

[Joe]

I think any story about crack is always funny. Or you could tell them about that time you watched your boss's house ...

[air yeezy]

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