Can you see the irony?

When I was a freshman in college, I pretty much went to most of my classes. But there was a spring day in May that Janet and I decided to seek adventure other than the 8 AM astronomy class. We were even in the parking lot at school, and while chatting about 'stuff', she asked about my brother's success at a game show the day before. I had called Paul the night before to ask him how he and Nan had done in New York City at an audition for the TV show "Dreamhouse".

"We won six rooms of furniture and we go back tomorrow morning for the seventh game, which is the grand prize...the house!"

"Okay, now tell me what really happened." said the disbelieving sister.

"It's the truth. We taped 3 shows and each show had 2 games. So, we won 6 games, and we go back tomorrow for the last game...which will be 'the house'!"

So, back to the college parking lot at 8AM .[And the astronomy class that we really weren't totally motivated to attend...I, personally, would have rather watched paint dry!!] .I relayed to Janet that my brother and sister-in-law were on their way back to NYC to tape the final show.

Now, truthfully, I can't remember whose idea it was to cut class and go and watch the taping, but the next thing I knew: We were driving out of the parking lot on our way to NYC. We had enough gas to get there and $7.00 between us, and we also had to find out where the 'Dreamhouse' studio was located. These were the days before cell phones, GPS systems, laptops, etc.

We encountered 2 phone booths that didn't work[ now there are only a few of them], and then were finally able to get directions to the studio. We parked the car in a parking garage that you paid on the way out, and found our way there just in the nick of time. We were seated in the balcony, and the taping began. I'm thinking that the host acknowledged that my brother's family was in the balcony, and then..."Here we go!"

All I can remember from that point on was that the game ended in a TIE and there was going to be one tie-breaker question that would decide it all.

"Name one of the three planets that has no moons."

Buzzzz...Paul..."Venus"

"You're right! You win!! Congratulations"

Followed by dancing and hooplah in the balcony!!

Thankfully, Janet and I were able to borrow enough money to get the car out, and buy gas to get back to NJ.

The 'ironic part' was detailed in a follow up article in the local newspaper that quoted my brother saying, "I heard the question, and gazed up in the balcony where my sister was sitting, and in a split second guessed 'Venus'!!"

Yes, I had cut an astronomy class to attend the taping.

And it was a good thing he wasn't counting on me for the answer. Because college astronomy was the only class that I have ever failed!!! And had to retake it!

I find it kind of ironic that the tie-breaker turned out to be an astronomy question. And how happy was I that it wasn't me that had to give an answer??

'Out of this world' happy!!

My brother and sister-in-law became aware of just how much money it was going to cost to pay the taxes on the 7 rooms of furniture. So they donated two rooms [a nursery and ??I forget the second] and opted for the cash award [I'm thinking it was like $20,000...remember that it was the 60's!!]instead of the house. Many features were extra...like a piece of land to build it on, as well as many other extras like landscaping and things beyond the basics of plumbing , elec, etc.They did have a great experience and came away with some furniture and some cash, too.