For those of you who are expecting a political post, I’m sorry to disappoint, but alas, I’m back from New York and in one piece, and so I need to write a post celebrating this major coup.
Tina and I went to New York City this weekend where she tried out for Jeopardy! This is the story of how we got there and got back.
We left our computers at home and made for the Big Apple via the Fung Wah Bus armed with nothing more than Thomas Sowell books, Subway’s sandwiches, and enough clothing for three days.
The bus arrived at South Station and we made the most of a three and half hour plus trip to New York. That cost didn’t hurt.
(Only later did I found out how ultra-unsafe it is, but you know, I'm all about the free market and pricing my own life, and so, I'd probably hop onboard and go down to D.C. or wherever by the end of this summer. After all, it will only cost me 80 dollars round trip!
It's no "magnificent wind," but it sure leaves some money in my pocket. The bus cost both of us $60.00 round trip to go from New York to Boston and if you can stomach the stench of McDonald’s, Chinese food, and 54 other passengers then it’s for you! Just be sure to get there before it fills up or you’ll have to sit next to the urinal, a pleasure I very much could have gone without on the four or so hour trip back to Boston. Even Thomas Sowell’s captivating Basic Economics cannot free you from the stench of stale urine.
We were fortunate enough to stay in an old friend’s apartment on Roosevelt Island and had a beautiful view overlooking all of Manhattan. Unfortunately, New York is rather pricey and Roosevelt Island’s location makes it pretty pricey getting off and on the island.
As is typical of New York City, it took a chunk out of my wallet, but it was fun all the same. Tina saved us a bunch of money because on Friday and Sunday because she cooked some great meals. (Unfortunately, she was too sick to cook anything on Saturday.)
On Saturday we woke up at 8:00 AM and hurried over via Roosevelt Island cable car to Manhattan. Tina knows I’m terrified of heights and so she did the sightseeing, while I cowered in the chair. (Only later did I find out that the cable car has gotten stuck above the East River! Visions of that infamous scene from Spiderman fluttered before my eyes.)
In Manhattan, we went to the Sheraton New York where Tina tried out for Jeopardy! She was far and away the youngest person there by at least ten years, but she thinks she held her own. She cautions not to expect a phone call from the Jeopardy! people, given that it can take up to 18 months before you hear back! She also tells me that it took Ken Jennings five times before he got on the show. We hope it’s easier for Tina, but alas, you never know.
In any event, the rest of the day was spent with John Wilson, CMC ’07, who took us sightseeing and even paid for dinner! John used to write for The Claremont Independent and now works for The New York Post after he won the Breindel Award.
John, Tina, and I walked on the Brooklyn Bridge and talked politics. It was quite the treat for Tina, the newly minted CMCer, and me to meet another CMCer out in the real world and see all that he was doing and achieving.
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5 comments:
John Wilson is not only "another CMCer"; he personifies everything good that CMC stands for.
Well said. My apologies.
I think that Tina may have her facts crossed somewhere on the number of times Ken Jennings tried out for Jeopardy! before getting on; I certainly don't recall Ken's book (or anything else that he's ever said) mentioning the fact that he tried out unsuccessfully five times before he got on.
Andy, you question my veracity? You wound me :-(
actually, I remember Maggie Speak (the audition coordinator) saying it when she encouraged my room to audition again. It may not have been 5 times, but it was definitely more than once and less than six. I hope I get on the show after six auditions.
Oh, I'm not doubting you, Tina, I'm sure that you're only relaying what you were told and that Maggie probably got her stories crossed.
http://www.ken-jennings.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?t=3782
Ken here says that he got called on his first time auditioning. Bob Harris, however, says in his book (Prisoner of Trebekistan, if you've not read it, it's a great book) that he tried out five or six times before passing.
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