It all started with some innocent time wasted on the internet, checking into my usual secret ambitions, which included being on the Amazing Race. Unbelievably, I stumbled into the information that the show would be having a casting call within a reasonable distance from where my friend and I live. No hesitation, I called her immediately.
"Okay, let's do it! I am in! We are perfect for the show! Let's do it, why not? I just have to talk to my professors, and check with the lady I babysit for first." This phone call followed our typical routine. Ellie had an incredible idea that she wanted me on board with. I love the idea of the idea, but can't commit on the spot. I told her I would get back to her by Monday, just days before the audition on the 15th.
As usual, I was able to finagle a way to follow through on my idea. I was concerned, for about 15 minutes total, that Lindsay really wouldn't go with me. But she did, and so two days later I packed way too many bags (after all, I hadn't decided what outfit was casting call attire) and headed out to see her. Before I continue, I think you should know that several weeks before, we had pulled up the application form and videoed ourselves laughing about what answers we would put. This whole process was already an experience, and we were loving every minute of it, even though the Amazing Race as yet had no idea who we were.
I finished my last final of the semester about an hour before Ellie arrived at my door. Exhausted from the busy semester I knew I didn't have the energy Ellie would beam the moment she got out of her car. So I greeted her with a smile, and seeing the disappointment in her face, as reassuringly as I could I told her I would be pumped for tomorrow. And I was pumped! From the moment we woke at 2:30 a.m. I was ready to rock. I finished packing my one overnight tote with the essentials and we pulled out of town right around 4:00 a.m. We were headed east toward Choctaw Hotel and Casino in Durant, OK. What an adventure....
Let's just say our music was pumping as we cruised through the darkness to the Choctaw. We were ready to rock! We got there behind schedule, but no worries. After taking pictures from the car of the Amazing Race event banner on the electronic hotel sign, we parked, grabbed our bags and entered the first leg of our Race experience. A security guard smiled/smirked as we asked him where the casting call was. "People slept over," he told us as we asked how many were there for it. Uh oh, maybe we should've left earlier. On our way to the line, my great tote bag loaded with waaay too much weight broke, the beads from the strap spraying all over the tile flooring. Thus 5 minutes of our time was spent on hands and knees tracking them down. A fashionable start, especially as we held the bag in both arms the rest of the day. Better events unfolded however, as we realized that our spot in line was not so bad after all!
We quickened our steps the closer we got to the people in line, which was beginning to wrap around the curves of the casino. We got behind a lady and her husband who were as prepared as they come, complete with a carrier of food...what's it called, oh yes, a cooler. They brought a cooler, which made our mouths water. Anyway, she thought we wouldn't be seen until five or six that evening. It was currently eight in the morning; What have we gotten ourselves into? I couldn't believe this, so I left Ellie behind as I started the supposedly interminable trek past all the die hards who had been working their necks into incredibly painful kinks by sleeping awkwardly on chairs. It was a sight to see: a couple hundred people of various shapes and maturity all thinking they have what it takes to be on The Amazing Race. By the time I made it back to Ellie, about five minutes had lapsed. I grinned and said, "Nah, we will be done by 3 p.m."
This was good news, so I settled in for the day. Being the foodie and cheap person that I am, I quickly scored a free banana from the woman, as well as coffee and water from the casino drink station. I too walked the line, casually eyeing the competition. I wish we had videoed the guy in the Scottish bagpipe outfit, the two women in short tennis skirts that were way too short, not to mention young, for them, and the lady who walked by at least 10 times in several different outfits. There was also the woman everyone thought worked for the Race but didn't. Yes, we were amongst vultures ready to pounce on any CBS official to pass by. After playing cards, chatting with our neighbors, and rating crazy outfits and teams on a 1-10 scale, the numbers finally began to be distributed along the line. Boom! We were Team 47!!!
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