I won the Wicked Lottery!

The names were written. The papers cut. And put into a big pointy hat. And the extras were checked. And more names were added to the hat. I had a few advil. Closed my eyes. Took a deep breath. And pulled out a name.Have I ever told you about my mother's obsession with HGTV? One of her favorites to watch is House Hunters. The show about a couple's search for a new home. They go with their real estate agent to look at three homes. And then they choose. Each time they have a commercial break, they summarize what we just learned.

So, in the beginning we are introduced to the couple and their kids. And we have a commercial break. And a recap. Then we see house #1. Then there is a commercial. And then when we return. Just in case you have the attention span of a gnat. We get a recap of the couple and house #1. Then we get to see house #2. And it's time for another commercial. When we return. Let's have another recap. Because perhaps you have a short term memory issue. And now, we get to see house #3. And yet another commerical. Then we get the final recap. And the couple tells us the pros and cons of each house. Because you obviously were not paying attention to the previous 5 minutes of actual showtime. And then they look at each other and say "we chose..." And you get the biggest pregnant pause in history. Before the big reveal.

Or how about that show "My house is worth what?" Where they show home owners that have made renovations to their home...and they want to know how much a real estate agent would be able to get for their home. And at the end the agent says "If I put your house on the market today...your house would be worth...."And we get the second biggest pregnant pause in the history of television.

What is the deal with the pause? Or the "Right after the break?" That has been beaten to death on American Idol...Deal or No Deal...and various and sundry reality shows.

Do you think that I might be assured of fame and fortune if I do big pauses in announcing the winners of my contests? Although I suppose I gave you quite the pause in announcing this now rather than yesterday like I planned.

Have you entered this week's contest?

Okay...fine...I'll get to the big "reveal." But not before we recap. In case you forgot why you are here.

The first of our weekend winners will receive:

The soundtrack to the musical "Wicked"

AND

The personalized, autographed copy of Wicked by Gregory Maguire

And the winner of the Wicked Lottery IS...................................................................................

IS...

JenniferSusan

CongratuLOTIONS!!

So...what about you? Are there any TV shows that you find incredibly annoying? Or how about ones that are so annoying...but you are sucked in and watch anyway (Can anyone say "The Duggars?!")? Be sure to let JenniferSusan know how excited you are for her!

Theme song: Stone Temple Pilots - "Plush" because it has a pregnant pause...errr...false ending...

Wicked Weekend Winners

Today is November 1st. In Mexico they are celebrating Dia De Los Muertos. Or perhaps you are remebering loved ones in honor of All Saints Day. You could be celebrating Samhain if you live in Ireland. Or Independence day in Antigua. Or perhaps World Vegan Day has a special significance for you.

But now...November 1st can mark another BIG event.

With the launching of my 10 weeks of weekend winners. Do you think that wiki will add me to their list of events? Hey. It's Wiki. I could add myself.

For the next 10 weekends, there will be a prize to be had. Some weeks there will even be more than one winner. And the prizes...well, they are all some of my very favorite things.

What's the first prize you ask??

Well...let's see...

You know, I am one of the few blogs that plays music. There was a revolt over the summer. And I even heard that a lot of people won't read a blog that has music playing. I somehow don't think that is true for you all. And I thank you for not abandoning me even though I play music. This just wouldn't be as fun without you!

A few weeks ago when I blogged about meeting Lizzy - I used the song "Popular" from the Wicked soundtrack. I had so many hits that day. And my site meter went a little crazy telling me how long people were staying. And even Brandy told me that she stayed on my blog all day...and kept refreshing after the song ended.So the first prize is the soundtrack to the musical "Wicked." So you can listen to Popular. My favorite- "Defying Gravity" - and all the other Tony award winning songs. Any time you like. Even in your car. And if you sing "Popular" at the top of your lungs, your children will think you are very cool. And they'll bow down to your prowess.

Oh, but wait. There's more.

As many of you guessed. When I was at the gay bookstore this week, I got an extra copy of Wicked. And had it autographed by Gregory Maguire. And not simply autographed. But personalized. Just for the winner.As Jeff Probst says - "worth playing for?"

Here are the rules:

1. contest is open from now until Friday, November 7th.

2. For one entry: comment here. Tell me about your favorite plays or musicals. When was the last time you saw a live performance? Have you ever been on stage?

3. For another entry - sign up to follow me. I want to be "pop-u-laaaaaarrrr." (If you are already a follower...you automatically get another entry.)

4. For another entry - post about the 10 weeks of winners on your blog.You can use the following text for a linking photo (with many thanks to Carrie at Oikology for all the tech support!):
<br /> <a border="0" href=http://sunshineandlemonade.blogspot.com/ target="_blank"><img src="http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr191/oikology101/pick_me_winner.jpg"></a><br />

5. Winner will be randomly chosen and then announced next Saturday - along with the second prize - as we head towards 10 weeks of weekend winners.

Wordy Wednesday: You went where? To meet who?

I have waxed rasphodic about Gregory Maguire's Wicked. It is my favorite book. I love the musical. I love the message. I love the symbolism. I love that I GET the symbolism. I even had a necklace made that was inspired by it.

So about a month ago my friend Jeanine told me that he had a new book coming out. And I realized that he was coming to Atlanta. I knew that I had to go and meet him. It was a little tricky to coordinate because Katie has choir practice on Tuesday nights. But suddenly the stars were in alignment and Katie and Madalyn were invited to a girl scout skating party. So, I had childcare all sewn up.

Until last night. When just as quickly as they came into alignment...they fell out. So, I did what any rising mother of the year would do. I left my children home. Alone. To fend for themselves. So I could leave early. And get a great seat.**

Jeanine and I decided to carpool down together. Because one does not go to the wilds of downtown Atlanta. To the gay bookstore. Alone.We arrived about an hour and half early. We found out that we had to get a ticket to get an autograph. And to get a ticket, we had to buy a book. So...I bought the book. And got a ticket. Lucky number 107. But. We were really early. And because we were so early, we were able to nab one of the lucky 25 seats. Yep. Only 25 seats. And my tush was in one of them.

The bookstore itself is very small. There were so many kitschy things that just made me happy. But with so many people, it was difficult to get pictures. I do love their CD case. Does this just not prove I am at a gay bookstore?

Kathy Griffin. Patti LaBelle. And Cher. Where's Liza Minelli when you need her?

And I love the book selection. Well...besides the lesbian book...the Philippa Gregory one sent me into fits of giggles. Sorry Jeanine. I know. You can't take me anywhere.

After we entertained ourselves for a while. And watched the crowd grow exponentially. Gregory Maguire finally arrived.

He told us a story about how he seems to follow David Sedaris on book tours - and how he finally met him. And then he read a selection from his newest novel, A Lion Among Men. He is incredibly animated when he reads.

And funny.

And very entertaining.

He spent about an hour answering questions.

And then it was time for autographs. And because we were early. We dindn't have to wait for lucky number 107 to be called. We were first, bay-be!

I showed him my defy gravity necklace -so he was inspired to write this in my very well worn, well read, sort of falling apart copy of Wicked.

And then he graciously posed for pictures.And posed again with Jeanine and me.My boobs look huge in this picture. (Did I just write that?)

So...how about you? What authors would you love to meet? Have you ever met anyone famous? Gotten an autograph? Left your children home alone?

**No children were harmed due to the activities mentioned in this post. They locked the doors. Played nicely. And waited for their dear sweet grandmother to come home and cook microwave dinner.

Theme song: Popular and Defying Gravity from the Wicked soundtrack.