The category is “On The Menu.” It’s the speed-up round. $6,000+ hangs in the balance. You have five seconds to solve the following:

“__ __ R __
G __ R L __ C
B R __ __ D”

Such was the quandary that ended my national television debut today as a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. To answer your immediate question: no, I have not become independently wealthy. In economic terms, in fact, the Wheel and I didn’t get along so well. But, I had a blast.

To start with, being a part of a real, bona fide, syndicated TV program was quite a thrill. The experience begins four hours before the show taping with an amazing array of briefings on rules, categories, set conduct, and legal issues. Next comes practice on the actual set, with everything from clapping technique, to vowel-buying strategy, to voice projection being critiqued.

Somewhere in the whiz of excitement comes a trip to the makeup chair, a chance to record a promo for your town’s local affiliate, and a chance to sneak over to the heavenly, limitless snack table. Despite the fact they spend a lot of time with a lot of nervous and self-interested people, the folks from the contestant department couldn’t have been nicer. And, despite the fact that I’m sure they’re bored out of their minds after all these years, Pat and Vanna were top notch as well.

Beyond the actual show, the job of contestant is a unique chance to experience an amazing cross-section of this great country. Six shows were taped today, meaning 18 contestants and two standbys journeyed to the Sony Pictures lot, coming from both coasts and an daunting number of places in between. There were grandparents. There were new parents, expectant mothers, and recent college grads. There was the loud woman from LA that owned a novelty store. There was the Indian software engineer from Denver (woohoo Colorado!). There was the massive man from Georgia who had a simply incredible mullet.

While the diversity among contestants could hardly have been greater, it was rather inspiring to see the hopes and dreams that brought with them. From finally taking a big trip with Mom, to saving for that first house downpayment, to providing for the child that won’t be born until July, everyone seemed to be hoping for a chance to get ahead. While I’m sure there was greed and envy involved somewhere, you couldn’t detect anything but goodwill from this motley crew. Perhaps such idealism reflects naivete, but I was proud to see that this is still a nation of decent folks who believe in the possibility of a brighter tomorrow.

Finally, while I’d like to believe I’d have such moral clarity even if I walked away from the show without an exponentially larger savings account, I’m profoundly grateful for this experience as a chance to pause and take stock of life. Sure, I bet I could find some noble purposes to put a few thousand extra bucks towards. But, as cheesy as it sounds, thinking through potential causes over the past week has caused me to realize just how thrilled I am with the life of here and now. I’ve been given an extraordinarily committed family. I continue to be astounded by the quality of folks I’m privileged to call friends. I live in a free nation, have been given a historically unique opportunity for education, and have hope for meaning in this life and beyond. You can have my Thursday, Pat, but I wouldn’t trade those things for anything measured in dollars or spins.

Oh, and the answer to that first puzzle? “Warm Garlic Bread.” The first word had me stumped.

The show is scheduled to air March 15. I can’t wait.