Almost Famous

I’d like to think I was almost famous.  I came (imagine me, squinting and pinching my index finger and thumb together so they are almost touching) THIS CLOSE to dancing with the stars.  Unfortunately, being THIS CLOSE only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, and so I suppose I still am just another ordinary person.  I am afraid (sigh) I must admit there is no place for sequins and spray tans in this ordinary life of mine.  In other words, I am not one single step closer to fulfilling my Dancing with the Stars fantasy.

Last Thursday, March 24,  I received the following email from a friend.

Check out Dove online…they may be having “regular gals” tryout for DWTS.  I saw it advertised briefly the other night during a commercial.  I could have been sleeping, but if I’m right and they pick you, I want a seat in the audience to cheer you on!!

If you are a faithful Just Another Ordinary Day follower, you will not be surprised that the first thing which popped into my brain upon reading this email was, “HA! I knew I couldn’t be the only one who thinks that adding an ordinary person to the cast of Dancing with the Stars is a stroke of genius!” I quickly flipped open my laptop and navigated to the official Dove website.  HOLY COW!  The makers of Dove really are sponsoring a contest, The Dove Close-Up Challenge… AND THE WINNER GETS TO DANCE ON DANCING WITH THE STARS!

“Dove is whisking 1 woman to LA for an intensive week of training with an ABC’s Dancing with the Stars performer.  She’ll start by getting close-up ready with NEW Dove VisibleCare Body Wash before getting primped and pampered post-practice by a team of professionals. Finally, she’ll meet actress and former contestant, Jennie Garth, who will be her on-camera confidence coach and help her get spotlight-beautiful for her big debut: a chance to dance in a Dove-sponsored TV spot that will air during the season finale of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.”

OH MY GOSH!  I need to be THAT woman!  I quickly scanned the eligibility requirements and contest rules. To enter, contestants were to submit a 60 second video of themselves explaining why they should be “picked.” The deadline to enter was Saturday, March 26.  That didn’t give me much time so I furiously wrote and rewrote my script, rehearsed in front of the bathroom mirror making sure to strike the poses that made me appear 1) ready for my close-up, 2) like I know my way around a dance floor, and 3) thin.  For two days this fantasy of mine took on a life of it’s own!  I smiled incessantly.  I am the perfect blend of loyal Dove soap user (really I am) and Dancing with the Stars fanatic.  Surely I would be a front runner!  By the time I finished filming and editing my video, and sat myself down to upload it, the contest was over.  No kidding.  It was 6:00pm on Saturday, March 26 and the contest was over.  The UPLOAD VIDEO HERE button on Dove’s official contest web page was gone and in it’s place was the following message.

“Entries for the Dove Close-Up Challenge are no longer being accepted.  But check back soon to see behind the scenes footage of how NEW Dove VisibleCare Body Wash helped the winner get close-up ready for her journey to the stage and much more!”

NOOOOOOOOO!  I can’t believe it.  I missed the deadline, but how?  I know the deadline was March 26.  I am certain of it.  I must have missed the time.  What an idiot.  I’d let the opportunity of a lifetime slip through my fingers.  I would have won and, except for my own brainlessness, I’d come THIS CLOSE (imagine me, squinting and pinching my index finger and thumb together so they are almost touching).  Even though being THIS CLOSE only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, I know I came THIS CLOSE to dancing with the stars and even if for just a little while, I was… almost famous.

TIll tomorrow… Good night.  Sleep tight.

© 2011 By Antoinette D. Datoc